Gabriela DeBues-Stafford ran a fast 3000m at the Belfast Irish Milers Meet: Is she back?

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Toronto’s Gabriela DeBues Stafford won the Belfast Irish Miler’s Meet at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday, clocking a fast 8:39.35 for the win.

It was not even close. Finishing in second place was Ide Nic Dhomhnaill in 9:12.65, and taking third was Fiona Everard, crossing the line in 9:13.38.

Debues-Stafford is thrilled

“Rust is busted, 8:39 FTW today in Belfast at the Belfast Irish Milers Meet! Super super fricken happy with this result,” shared Debues-Stafford on social media.

It has been three years since the seven-time national record holder has run well.

She continued, “Had to do a lot of work solo today (not the way I am the most comfortable racing), taking the lead at 2200m to go, but was able to get into a good rhythm and had a good negative split going (closing in a 2:43 last km!).”

“[It’s been] Pretty crazy, my second 1500m of this race was faster than my fastest 1500m last year. Rowan and I have worked very, very hard over this past year to get my fitness back into a good place, and my confidence to follow suit! It’s not been an easy journey, but guys, I think I’ve finally got my mojo back.”

The 29-year-old has moved around much lately seeking the right training environment. She was part of the Nike-sponsored Bowerman Track Club in Portland, OR, from 2020 to 2022. She left around the same time that Shelby Houlihan was suspended for Nandrolone. There was an alleged dispute about the way things were handled around Houlihan’s positive test.

Before Portland, Debues-Stafford trained in Scotland with Laura Muir.

After Portland, she landed in Victoria, British Columbia, for two years. She could never get past an injury in the pelvic area.

National records

At the height of her career in 2022, she ran the indoor 3000m in the time of 8:33.92, which is currently the national record.

She also holds national records in the 1500m indoors and outdoors. Her 1500m outdoor best is 3:56.12, which she ran during the 2019 Doha World Athletics Championships, becoming the first Canadian under four minutes.

DeBues-Stafford also holds the mile indoor and outdoor records.

Her 5000m indoor record of 14:31.38 is not just a Canadian record but a North American record as well. All of her personal bests were run between July 2019 and February 2022. Some records were improved multiple times.

Results