Robert Heffernan’s victory in Moscow over 50,000 meters was huge news in Ireland, his home country. Heffernan had taken fourth in the 2010 20k and 50k European championships, and in 2012, he took fourth in the London 50k.
In the heat and humidity of Moscow, Robert Heffernan gave Ireland only its third World Championship gold medal ever (Eamonn Coglan, 1983, 5000 meters, Sonia O’Sullivan, 1995, 5000 meters).
Robert Heffernan and his wife, a 400 meter runner, who are expecting a child this month. Here is the excellent article from the Independent on Heffernan and his unique life style: http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/emerging-from-the-shadows-to-be-best-of-best-29876280.html.