The 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships took place on 23 March 1997. The races were held at the Parco del Valentino in Torino, Italy. A report of the event was given in The New York Times, in the Herald, and for the IAAF. Complete results for senior men, junior men, senior women, junior women, medallists, and the results of British athletes who took part were published.

Medallists

Race results

Senior men's race (12.333 km)

†: Athlete marked in the results list as nonscorer.

Junior men's race (8.511 km)

Senior women's race (6.6 km)

Junior women's race (4.689 km)

Medal table (unofficial)

Participation

An unofficial count yields the participation of 725 athletes from 72 countries. This is in agreement with the official numbers as published. Although announced, athletes from 🇸🇱 did not show.