Thousands of runners gathered at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday for the 2026 Perth Running Festival. The event brought athletes from across the country, with elite Kenyan athlete Dominic Ngeno among those taking part.

Former AFL player Kane Cornes also ran, completing the festival as the opening leg of a double marathon effort in support of Telethon 2026. Cornes intended to back up the Perth race with a second marathon as part of the fundraising effort. The back-to-back marathons added a personal community dimension to his participation at the festival. Organizers welcomed a strong field on the day, with the morning conditions at the venue providing a good scene for both elite and amateur competitors.