The men's 5000 metres was a track and field athletics event held as part of the Athletics at the 1912 Summer Olympics programme. It was the debut of the event, which along with the 10000 metre event replaced the 5 mile race held at the 1908 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on Tuesday, July 9, 1912, and on Wednesday, July 10, 1912. Thirty-one long-distance runners from eleven nations competed. NOCs could enter up to 12 athletes.Official report, p. 61.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1912 Summer Olympics.
World record 14:59.0(*) Alfred Shrubb Glasgow (GBR) June 13, 1904 Olympic record - none - -
(*) unofficial
George Bonhag, in winning the first semifinal, which was the first Olympic 5000 ever, set the Olympic record at 15:22.6. It lasted until the 5th and last semifinal, in which Jean Bouin broke it by finishing in 15:05.0. Unsurprisingly, that record stood only until the next race—Hannes Kolehmainen won the final at 14:36.6 as both he and Bouin (just behind Kolehmainen, at 14:36.7) surpassed the best time of the semifinals. This record became the first official world record for the 5000 metres.
Results
Semifinals
All semi-finals were held on Tuesday, July 9, 1912.
Semifinal 1
Place Athlete Time Qual.1 15:22.6 OR QF2 15:24.2 QF3 15:27.6 QF4 15:56.8 — Did not finish
Semifinal 2
Place Athlete Time Qual.1 15:23.5 QF2 15:28.9 QF3 15:29.0 QF4 16:07.1 — Did not finish Did not finish Did not finish
Semifinal 3
Place Athlete Time Qual.1 15:34.6 QF2 16:09.1 QF3 16:23.4 QF4 17:21.7 — Did not finish Did not finish
Semifinal 4
Place Athlete Time Qual.1 15:38.9 QF2 15:49.1 QF3 15:53.3 QF4 — Did not finish
Semifinal 5
Place Athlete Time Qual.1 15:05.0 OR QF2 15:25.2 QF3 15:31.4 QF— Did not finish Did not finish Did not finish Did not finish Did not finish
Final
The final was held on Wednesday, July 10, 1912.
Place Athlete Time1 14:36.6 WR2 14:36.73 15:07.64 15:09.85 15:10.06 7 15:18.68-11 — Did not start Did not start Did not start Did not start
References
Notes