The eight starters ran eight laps of the same course as in the 2,500 metre steeplechase, complete with water jump, hurdles, and stone fences. Jack Rimmer led this race the entire way, closely followed throughout by Alex Grant. On the last lap, Rimmer pulled away from Grant, who was then quickly passed by Charles Bennett, Sidney Robinson, and Jacques Chastanié. Bennett and Robinson closed rapidly on Rimmer, but in a very close finish, were unable to catch their countryman. George Orton ran in last for much of the race, and it was thought he was using a similar strategy to that which had worked so well in the shorter steeplechase. However, what was not known was that he had overnight contracted an intestinal virus and he never became a factor in the longer race.