The 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships took place on March 23/24, 2002. The races were held at the Leopardstown Racecourse, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, near Dublin, Ireland. Reports of the event were given in The New York Times, in the Herald, and for the IAAF. New scores for team results were introduced. Complete results for senior men, for senior men's teams, for men's short race, for men's short race teams, for junior men, for junior men's teams, senior women, for senior women's teams, for women's short race, for women's short race teams, for junior women, for junior women's teams, medallists, and the results of British athletes who took part were published.

Medallists

Race results

Senior men's race (11.998 km)

Men's short race (4.208 km)

Junior men's race (7.974 km)

Senior women's race (7.974 km)

Women's short race (4.208 km)

Junior women's race (5.962 km)

Medal table (unofficial)

Participation

According to an unofficial count, 664 athletes from 59 countries participated. This is in agreement with the official numbers as published. The announced athletes from, , , and 🇸🇱 did not show.