The 1996 IAAF World Cross Country Championships was held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, at the Danie Craven Stadium on March 23, 1996.

A preview on the event was given in the Herald,[1] and a report in The New York Times.

[2] Complete results for senior men,[3][4][5] junior men,[6][7][8] senior women,[9][10][11] junior women,[12][13][14] medallists, [15] and the results of British athletes[16] were published.

An unofficial count yields the participation of 669 athletes from 65 countries.

This is in agreement with the official numbers as published.