1997 World Championships in Athletics – Women's 5000 metres Results First round

| Heat | Rank_ | Name_ | Result_ | Notes_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Gabriela Szabo (ROU) | 15:26.62 Q |  |
| 1 | 2 | Paula Radcliffe (GBR) | 15:27.25 Q |  |
| 2 | 3 | Fernanda Ribeiro (POR) | 15:27.30 Q |  |
| 1 | 4 | Harumi Hiroyama (JPN) | 15:27.75 Q |  |
| 1 | 5 | Roberta Brunet (ITA) | 15:29.03 Q |  |
| 2 | 6 | Liu Jianying (CHN) | 15:29.28 Q | PB |
| 1 | 7 | Ayelech Worku (ETH) | 15:29.37 Q |  |
| 1 | 8 | Li Wei (CHN) | 15:29.62 Q |  |
| 1 | 9 | Libbie Hickman (USA) | 15:30.56 q | SB |
| 2 | 10 | Lydia Cheromei (KEN) | 15:32.00 Q |  |
| 2 | 11 | Merima Denboba (ETH) | 15:32.01 Q |  |
| 1 | 12 | Gunhild Hall (NOR) | 15:32.13 q |  |
| 2 | 13 | Naoko Takahashi (JPN) | 15:32.25 Q |  |
| 2 | 14 | Yuko Kawakami (JPN) | 15:32.71 Q |  |