After three tough years, Canada’s 1500m star has found new speed and purpose at the World Endurance Program in Edinburgh.
When Gabriela Debuse-Stafford crossed the line in the 1500m final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, the moment seemed almost unreal.
It had been three years since his last world final at the Tokyo Olympics. Three years that included setbacks and whispers that he might have already run his best race. Yet here he was in the world finals, clocking a sub-four-minute performance (3:59.65) and proving he still belongs on the biggest stage.
“It’s still surreal when I think about it,” he said. “We actually framed my finals single, it’s on the wall now. Every now and then we’ll just look at it and say, “We had a world final.” I ran a sub four. It’s just crazy.”
His return was not the result of luck or nostalgia. It was the result of a deliberate change: a new coaching set-up, a fresh environment and a bold decision to move to Scotland and join the University of Edinburgh’s World Endurance Project.
By the end of the 2024 season, DeBuise-Stafford was at a crossroads. Her husband and trainer, Rowan, had only recently taken over her training, and both were looking for a step up. The turning point, unexpectedly, came at a track in Victoria, Canada.
“One day, Gabriella was working out and Mark (Rowland) happened to be jogging,” Rowan said. He stopped and said. “Okay, let’s clean this up.” Then he began to show how it should be done. We laughed, got along really well, and something just clicked.”
That moment turned into a working relationship. When Rowland later accepted the position of Head Coach of Performance Endurance at the University of Edinburgh, it suddenly offered a new direction for the pair. “We already knew we wanted to come back to the UK,” Rowan said. “It’s the center of the athletics world, closer to meets, training camps and competitive groups. And when Mark took that job in Edinburgh, it just made sense.”
So they reached out half-jokingly at first. “We asked him for coffee,” Rowan said, “and Mark thought we just wanted to talk about Gabriella’s seasonal plan. But then we said. “What if we came with you to Edinburgh?” He was surprised, but open. He said, “come visit, see what you think.”
They did, and by March 2024 the decision was made. “The university has been so supportive,” says Gabriela. “Mark’s vision for the group was clear and the athletes there were positive and motivated. It was just the right place.”
The World Endurance Project aims to create an elite endurance environment in Scotland. program that combines world-class coaching, access to sports science and a collaborative athlete culture.
“They’ve given us access to everything: facilities, physio, strength and training, and of course Mark’s training,” Gabriela said. “It’s nice to have that integrated setting where everyone is connected and supportive.”
Long-term thinking has been essential. In 2024, DeBues-Stafford’s season best was 4:15.09. Just one year later, he ran 3:59.65 to reach the World Championships final. “Going from 4:15 to 3:59 in a year is a pretty good indicator that things are working,” he said.
Much of the success, the pair agree, is due to working with Rowland, whose blend of world-class experience and approachable mentorship has set the tone for the group.
“She just has a lot of energy to be around,” Gabriela said. “He is so knowledgeable and has so much experience as an athlete first and now as a coach. He has guided athletes to do what I would like to do in my career.”
“As a young coach, I learned a lot from Mark’s sense of urgency. He knows that when you’re aiming for the World Finals, every week is precious. He doesn’t panic if a session goes wrong, but he always has his eyes on the end goal. That concentration keeps the energy of the sessions very high.”
That mix of intensity and warmth is something both say defines the Edinburgh environment. “He jokes around when he’s upset,” Rowan said, “but when an athlete gets upset, he goes straight into problem-solving mode. That’s when “Tag Dad” comes out.
The energy around the Edinburgh installation is also infectious. “It’s been fun watching the group grow,” Gabriela said. “Everyone is lovely, we just had a team dinner last night, it feels like we’re building something together.
“The difference in mood is exciting. It’s not just about coming into the season in good shape and feeling upbeat, but a real sense of momentum and growth across the board. It’s a fun balance.”
As winter training takes shape in Edinburgh, there is a quiet optimism ringing in the DeBuze-Stafford household. “It’s been fun comparing this fall to last,” Gabriela said. “It’s a much more enjoyable experience.”
The next step is a possible short indoor campaign with the goal of qualifying for the World Indoor Championships. “I’ll probably do a couple of races, maybe one 1500m and one 3000m,” he said.
“Then we’ll see what my best event is for the indoor season. Hopefully some successful events will also lead to more Diamond Leagues in the summer.” Beyond that, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games are big.
