The 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships took place on March 20/21, 2004. The races were held at the Ossegem Park in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Reports of the event were given in The New York Times, and for the IAAF. The new team scores introduced in 2002 were reverted to the original form as used in 2001 and earlier. 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 (12 km)

Men's short race (4 km)

Junior men's race (8 km)

Senior women's race (8 km)

Women's short race (4 km)

Junior women's race (6 km)

Medal table (unofficial)

Participation

According to an unofficial count, 673 athletes from 72 countries participated. This is in agreement with the official numbers as published. The announced athletes from did not show.