Canada’s Lucia Stafford and Ben Flanagan shine at 2023 New Balance Grand Prix

It was another weekend and another personal best for Canadian athletes Lucia Stafford and Ben Flanagan at the 2023 New Balance Grand Prix in Boston. Stafford ran to a one-second PB of 4:23.52 in the women’s mile, while Flanagan chopped four seconds off his previous indoor PB of 7:47.37 in a world-class 3,000m field.

Last weekend, Stafford made headlines as she ran to a North American 1,000m record of 2:33.75. After heading back to Toronto for a few days, she returned to Boston to set another PB, this time in the mile. 

Stafford sat on the heels of U.S. 1,500m Olympian Heather MacLean for the entire race and made her move with one lap to go. Although Stafford surged ahead, MacLean closed on her in the final 50 metres to take the win in a photo-finish time of 4:23.42.

Stafford’s time is the second fastest indoor mile in Canadian history, behind only her older sister Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, who holds the mile record of 4:19.73 from 2020. “I know I am in Canadian record shape,” says Stafford. “I wanted around 4:22 today, but this was the first time in a while that I have been in a world-class field.”

At next weekend’s Millrose Games in New York City, Stafford will once again test herself over the mile, but this time against the sixth fastest woman of all-time over the mile distance, Laura Muir (4:18.75). 

The women's mile comes down to a sprint finish between🇨🇦 Lucia Stafford and 🇺🇸 Heather McLean.

McLean gets Stafford at the line for a world lead of 4:23.42.

Stafford runs PB of 4:23.52 for 2nd.#WorldIndoorTour #NBGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/CumzRi0VwF

— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) February 4, 2023

In the men’s 3,000m, Flanagan continued to show off his impressive range, placing fifth overall in 7:43.49. The race started tactical for the first half until the field picked up the pace over the final 1,400m, leading eight men to personal bests (including Flanagan).

“This race was an awesome learning experience,” says Flanagan. “I tried to keep the pressure on, but I kept telling myself to stay calm and ready for anything.”

That’s two straight PB’s for @bennyflanagan to start the 2023 season.

7:43.49 over 3,000m for 5th at NB Grand Prix.

The Canadian half-marathon record holder says he’s not done with the track yet!!#WorldIndoorTour #NBGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/1bw9spPron

— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) February 4, 2023

The 28-year-old had a lot of success on the roads in 2022, winning both the Canadian 5K and 10K titles and setting Canadian records over the 10K and half-marathon. “There’s been a lot of pressure to move up to the marathon,” laughs Flanagan. “I know there’s more track work to be done, and it’ll pay off in the long run.”

Last weekend in Boston, Flanagan ran a massive personal best of 13:11.12 to become the second-fastest Canadian over 5,000m indoors–behind only Olympic silver 5,000m medallist Moh Ahmed.

For full results from the 2023 New Balance Grand Prix, click here.