Jonas Stafford

Last updated
Jonas Stafford
Personal information
Born (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Event(s)
Long-distance running, Steeplechase
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing Flag of Ireland.svg IRE
European Cross Country Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Brussels U20 team

Jonas Stafford (born 3 February 2005) is an Irish long-distance, steeplechase and cross country runner. [1]

Biography

From County Wicklow, Stafford was a member of Ashford Athletics Club. [2] As a 17-year-old, he was the youngest member of the Irish under-20 team who competed at the 2022 European Cross Country Championships in Turin, Italy. [3]

Whilst a student at East Glendalough School in Wicklow, Stafford won the Senior boys title in the 123.ie All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships in Waterford in March 2023, winning ahead of Niall Murphy. [4] In June, he won the 5000 metres at the 2023 All Ireland Schools’ Track & Field Championships in Tullamore. [5]

He later moved to Dublin to study chemistry at University College Dublin and joined Dublin Track Club and trained with experienced professionals Andrew Coscoran, Mark English, and Brian Fay and worked with coach Feidhlim Kelly. Stafford was a gold medalist at the 2023 European Cross Country Championships in the men's under-20 team race, alongside Nick Griggs and Niall Murphy, with Stafford improving from 26th after the first lap to finish tenth overall. [6]

Stafford was runner-up in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Irish Athletics Championships in August 2025. [7] He was selected for the under-23 race at the 2025 European Cross Country Championships in Portugal, in December 2025 as the Irish team won the gold medal in the team race. [8] [9]

References

  1. "Jonas Stafford". Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 11 Dec 2025.
  2. "Wicklow's Jonas Stafford delivers the goods for Ireland at European Cross Country Championships". Independent.ie. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 11 Dec 2025.
  3. Lawlor, Lizzie (14 Dec 2022). "Jonas Stafford writes his name into Wicklow sporting history". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 Dec 2025.
  4. Lawlor, Lizzie (13 March 2023). "Jonas Stafford storms home to victory in the All-Ireland Senior boys East Glendalough cross country final". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 Dec 2025.
  5. "Nolan and Stafford among big winners as Wicklow athletes produce the goods in Tullamore". Independent.ie. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  6. Ryan, Andrew (22 December 2023). "Jonas Stafford aiming high after wonderful European Championship performance". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 Dec 2025.
  7. "Irish Championships". World Athletics. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  8. Mills, Steven (9 Dec 2025). "Lagoa 2025 men's U23 preview - Barnicoat's biggest challenge yet?". European Athletics. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  9. Dennehy, Cathal (14 Dec 2025). "Nick Griggs leads Ireland to U-23 individual and team gold at European Cross Country Championships". Independent.ie. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.