Athletics: Race walker Al Heppner dies

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Track & Field has been notified that U.S. race walker Spc. Albert (Al) Heppner died Wednesday night. He was 29.

A member of the United States Army World Class Athlete Program, Heppner was a resident athlete who trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. He placed fifth in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the 50 km Race Walk on Sunday, February 15, in Chula Vista.

One of America’s most accomplished race walkers, Heppner had achieved several top finishes in national competitions, including placing first at the USA 5 km Race Walk Championships in 2002, second at the USA 30 km Race Walk Championships in 2004, second at the USA 15 km and 20 km Race Walk Championships in 2002, and second at the USA 50 km Race Walk Championships in 1999, and represented Team USA at the Pan American Race Walk Cup in 2001 and 1998, as well as the IAAF World Race Walk Cup in 1999.

He was ranked #2 nationally in the 20 km race walk in 2002 by Track & Field News. As a collegian at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Heppner was an NAIA All-American and the NAIA 5 km Race Walk National Champion in 1997, the year he graduated.

Born April 24, 1974 in Columbia, Md., Heppner graduated from Howard High School in Ellicott City, Md., in 1992. He was introduced to race walking in 1989 when one of his track teammates bet him a dollar not to enter a race. He later went to Wisconsin-Parkside and embarked in earnest on his walking career. In addition to his athletic endeavors, Heppner also was an aspiring journalist.

"Al was a great athlete and a great advocate for the entire sport of track and field, most particularly the race walk,” said USATF CEO Craig Masback. “The entire track and field community mourns his passing and will miss him. Our sympathies go to his family."

From USATF.org.