The men's 5000 metres event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

In the final Lauri Lehtinen set a new Olympic record with 14:30.0 minutes.

Both semi-finals were held on Tuesday, August 2, 1932, and started at 4:45 p.m.

The best seven finishers of every heat qualified for the final.

Both runners broke the Olympic record but Lehtinen finished 30 cm in front.