This event started at 8am on the Albalonga Stadium. The 39 athletes - including favourites Rocco Manfredini and Fiorello Cipriani, from St. Samuel; Aziz Manawi and Apou Iroha, from Niokolo Koba; and Timothy Kemp from Utania - were first divided in five heats. The top three on each heat, plus the best fourth-placed overall, advance to the next round. The sixteen qualified athletes were then divided in two semifinal heats, with the top four on each making it to the finals.