The 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships took place on March 29/30, 2003. The races were held at the L'Institut Équestre National in Avenches near Lausanne, Switzerland. Reports of the event were given in The New York Times, in the Herald, and for the IAAF. 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.

Doping

There were several doping positives at the championships.

Positives at the 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Medallists

Race results

Senior men's race (12.355 km)

Men's short race (4.03 km)

Junior men's race (7.92 km)

Senior women's race (7.92 km)

Women's short race (4.03 km)

Junior women's race (6.215)

Medal table (unofficial)

Participation

According to an unofficial count, 605 athletes from 65 countries participated. This is in agreement with the official numbers as published. The announced athletes from the 🇨🇩, from, , and 🇸🇱 did not show.