Thousands of runners gathered at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday for the 2026 Perth Running Festival. The event drew competitors 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 planned to follow the Perth race with a second marathon as part of the charitable push. The back-to-back marathons added a personal community dimension to his involvement at the festival. Organizers saw a healthy turnout on the day, with the sunny Perth conditions providing a solid stage for both elite and amateur participants.