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, finishing the race as the opening leg of a double marathon effort in support of Telethon 2026. Cornes was set to follow the Perth race with a second marathon as part of the charity campaign. 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 sunny Perth conditions providing a solid stage for both elite and amateur participants.