Athletics fans will not find a better book this year

FOR the first time watcher it all looks a little strange. There’s something unnatural about the movements of the race walker, almost seal-like in their squirmy shuffling, a visual that defies the speed with which they glide across the tarmac.

To Irish sports fans, Rob Heffernan is race walking in the country. Others have had great success in the last couple of decades but the larger-than-life, uncompromising, Cork native is the face of race walking in the country.

It’s therefore no surprise that the former World Champion and Olympic Bronze medalist, the only Irish athlete to compete in five Olympic Games, has decided that the time is right to release an autobiography, calling it ‘Walking Tall’.

Firstly, the publication is ghost written by Gerard Cromwell. Back in 2011, freelance journalist Cromwell won the Bord Gais Energy Irish Sports Book of the Year for Nicolas Roche’s autobiography ‘Inside the Peloton’.

It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if ‘Walking Tall’ garnered similar critical acclaim. Cromwell does a fantastic job of laying out the content in an uncomplicated, easy to read manner. Chronologically written, there’s never a dull point in the 270-odd pages.

Of course, only part of that is down to the quality writing. Unlike may autobiographies that promise so much and deliver far less, Heffernan nails it from the first page to the last, never shirking the tough stories, always honest.

Some of the more candid stories concern Athletics Ireland and their seeming indifference for the plight of the nations top athletes. Some of the stories beggar belief and it’s a wonder that any Irish star ever comes back from international competition with a medal with what they have to put up with.

Just touching the tip of the iceberg about what Heffernan was forced to endure; he had grant money withheld, threats to do things their way or the highway and was booked to fly home from the 2013 World Championship before the medal ceremony.

Unlike others that complain about the treatment they get at the hands of governing bodies, Heffernan has absolutely no problems naming names. Some of the revelations in this book will leave a few people involved with Athletics Ireland in difficult positions.

Naturally the issue of performance enhancing drugs pops up throughout the book. Some offenders were eventually caught, meaning Heffernan picked up medals he deserved, others might have avoided detection.

Heffernan’s brush with the IAAF and a ‘failed test’ proved interesting reading. As well as that, the troubles of his great friend Paquillo ‘Paco’ Fernández, and the Corkman’s reaction to the revelations, were fascinating.

The relationship between Heffernan, his wife Marian, and his four children, is a centerpiece of the speedy walker’s story, which was heartwarming. However, the story of the death of his mother, and how he found out about it, is painful to read.

Arguably the most emotional moment of the book is the moment Heffernan wins his World Championship gold. The fact that it comes after so many painful losses, so many close calls and years of frustration only makes the moment all the more satisfying.

Whose Christmas stocking does this fit in? Well, your athletics fan will not find a better book to get them through those lazy hours between St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Eve, this is the one to pick up.

But ‘Walking Tall’ has further reaching appeal. The sports fan will not find a more honest appraisal of a sensational international career.