James Alexander Burns (5 November 1907 – 22 May 2003) was an English track and field athlete who competed for Great Britain in the 1932 Summer Olympics and in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

He became the national 4 miles champion after winning the British AAA Championships at the 1931 AAA Championships[2][3][4] In 1932 at the Olympic Games, he finished seventh in the Olympic 5000 metres event.

[1] Burns represented England at the 1934 British Empire Games, winning a bronze medal in the 3 miles contest.

[6][7] One month later he was selected to represent Great Britain at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, where he finished fifth in the 10,000 metres competition.

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