First-year University of Toronto runner Lucia Stafford has taken the province’s cross-country scene by storm.
Stafford, 18, won her first-ever race in a Varsity Blues singlet at the Western International Invitational in London, Ont. and doubled up on victories by topping the field at the University of Toronto Open. The Toronto French School graduate and current engineering student typically uses cross-country as a precursor for track.
Prior to attending U of T, Stafford trained with the University of Toronto Track Club, making her transition to post-secondary school a smooth one. She began running in grade four with her school team and joined the club scene in grade seven. She represented Canada internationally for the first time last summer at the IAAF World U20 Championships.
This summer, she spent time in Rio cheering on her sister Gabriela, an Olympian in the women’s 1,500m, and also a University of Toronto Varsity Blues athlete. “Stafford wins” has become commonplace in recent years on both the local scene and at races across the province and country. She comes from a family of very-accomplished runners.
No wonder she's all smiles! Lucia Stafford has been named the @CIS_SIC Athlete of the Week! WE ALL #BLEEDBLUE #WeAreTO pic.twitter.com/1bU1w0UYGC
— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) September 28, 2016
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that at all,” Stafford says of her victory at the Western International Invitational 5K on Sept. 24, where she won in 17:04.5. “When I went into the race, there was not a lot of pressure, I toughed it out. I like to surprise myself and that’s a good thing. It lets me go out there and just do my thing.”
LU WITH THE WIN IN HER FIRST VARSITY XC MEET!! #ROOKIEBLUE
— Gabriela Stafford (@gstafford13) September 24, 2016
Still to come this fall for Stafford and Toronto are the Ontario university championships on Oct. 30 and the CIS cross-country championships – which will be known as the U Sports cross-country championships in 2017 – on Nov. 12 in Quebec City. Stafford says she no longer gets really nervous before races because of the team atmosphere. Pre-race tunes? Red Hot Chili Peppers and Spanish music. (Spanish music because it’s light-hearted and reminds her to have fun.)
“I’m really excited for OUAs [provincials],” she says. “I don’t want to place too many expectations on myself but it would be great to medal. Team-wise, I think we can place in the top-two.” Before races, Stafford says she enjoys a pasta meal with a chocolate dessert to get excited for the soon-to-be competition.
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The 18-year-old says that Moore Park in Toronto is her go-to for off-day runs, especially in the fall. That area may be in line for upgrades as the city announced this week plans to develop a “super park” nearby. Runs are typically no longer than 55 minutes.
From the Toronto area, Stafford lives on residence because she wanted the “full university experience” and to have the independence of living on her own. Her current plan is to attend U of T for five years – the Canadian university sports system allows for five years of eligibility – so her current workload of five courses is “manageable.”
Having her sister on the team is an added bonus though she made sure she decided on a university for her own reasons. Still, seeing Gabriela run as well as she has makes Lucia excited for what’s to come. Perhaps multiple Staffords representing Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Stafford says that she is counting down the cross-country races, with two left as of Oct. 22, until the university athletics scene switches to track.
Featured photos courtesy of Martin Bazyl and the University of Toronto.
