Lace Up Your Runners And Slap On Some Lycra for Cleve Running Festival
Cleve Running Festival is back, and this time you might be running alongside one of the world’s best as it returns to the Eyre Peninsula from September 25 to 27.
All Your Favourites, Back on Track
Launched by a group of passionate local runners, the event has quickly grown into a standout on the Eyre Peninsula calendar, drawing runners and supporters from across the state.
The same course line-up is back in 2026, including the Cleve Wind Farm 21.1km, Cleve Rural Traders 10km, Mt Millar Wind Farm 5km and Kids Dash.
The Festival Village will return too, with food, drinks, kids entertainment and plenty happening at the finish line. It’s all backed by the Cleve community and their big-hearted welcome, which is a huge part of what makes the weekend so special.
Meet the Man Who Ran 119 Hours Straight
The big news for 2026 is ultra-endurance runner Phil Gore coming on board as Event Ambassador.
And he’s not just any runner.
He’s the current Backyard Ultra world record holder, running for an extraordinary 119 consecutive hours at Dead Cow Gully, and holds the Oceanic best performance for 24 hours, covering more than 270 kilometres.
But for Gore, it’s not just about chasing the wins.
“Events like the Cleve Running Festival are what make Australian running special,” Gore said. “I’m really looking forward to being part of the weekend, meeting the community and celebrating running at all levels.”
He also has a genuine connection to Cleve, having visited back in 2019, and holds the course record at the Yeldulknie Weir parkrun.
“I visited Cleve in 2019 with my family, and what stood out was how welcoming and helpful the community was. We had people offer help without even knowing us, and that’s something you don’t forget. I’m excited to come back here.”
Make a Weekend of It
Don’t leave it until race day to roll into town, with things cranking up all weekend.
Friday night will see Gore host a relaxed evening session, sharing stories from his ultra-endurance journey.
Saturday features the Yeldulknie Weir Trail parkrun, giving you the chance to test your legs on the track before race day.
“Yeldulknie Weir parkrun is a great course with great views – and it’s the reason we stopped in Cleve to begin with,” Gore said. “Parkrun is such an important part of the running community and it played a huge role in building my foundations as a runner.”
Bib collection will also run across the day before everything ramps up for Sunday.
Then on race day, it’s all systems go, with early starts for the half marathon, 10km and 5km events, followed by the always popular Kids Dash and presentations.
More Than Just A Run
For Gore, it’s the atmosphere that sets these kinds of events apart.
“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere more than anything. The support on course, the volunteers, and seeing people challenge themselves,” he said.
From the volunteers on course to the crowd at the finish line, it’s the strong community feel and classic country hospitality that keeps people coming back to Cleve year after year.
Don’t Miss Your Spot
Registrations are now open and with numbers capped, it’s worth locking it in early.
Whether you’re chasing a PB, walking with mates or just in it for the atmosphere, it’s another fantastic reason to head to the beautiful Eyre Peninsula.
CLEVE RUNNING FESTIVAL 2026
WHEN: September 25-27
WHERE: Cleve, Eyre Peninsula
COST: Varies depending on event|
TICKETS: Register here
Planning to stay? Check out local accommodation options here.
Got time to explore? Take a look at our Eyre Peninsula travel guide here.
