Athletics at the 1912 Stockholm Summer Games:

This was the first time that a cross-country event was held on the Olympic program, although it would also be conducted in 1920 and 1924. The course was not reveale to the participants prior to the start, but was marked just before the race began with red ribbons. It was very hilly, through the forest with steep inclines and descents, and many natural obstacles. The British and Continental runners were not used to this kind of terrain and the race was dominated by the Swedes and Finns.

The international cross-country championship had been won 1911 by Jean Bouin, who would also win in 1912-1913. But Hannes Kolehmainen had already won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at Stockholm, and when he elected to run the cross-country, he had to be favored. Kolehmainen won easily by over 30 seconds. Two Swedes, Hjalmar Andersson and John Eke, won the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Bouin ran in this race, but did not finish.