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Proudly supporting Telethon 7
23 – 30 August 2026 · Forrestdale, WA

168 Hours. 168 Laps.
One life changing week.

1127 KM / 700 MILES

Perth ultra-runner and reigning Backyard Ultra World Champion Phil Gore is attempting one of the most extreme solo endurance feats ever undertaken in Australia, 6.71km at the start of every hour, on the hour, for seven consecutive days. Raising funds for Telethon along the way.

Run Lap 167 with Phil.
Make a confidential donation pledge for The Assist.

168Hours Straight
6.71kmEvery Single Hour
7Days, No Assist
1,127kmTotal Distance If Completed
The Project

Nobody has ever finished an
endurance challenge like this.

Phil Gore trail running through the Wungong bushland, Western Australia
Training in the Wungong bush, WA

Dubbed Project 168, the attempt runs from Sunday 23 August to Sunday 30 August 2026 in Forrestdale, WA. It's inspired by the "backyard ultra" format, where runners cover the same loop every hour until only one competitor remains, except this time, the event doesn't stop when a winner is decided. It stops when the week is over.

This isn't just about seeing how far I can push myself. It's about creating a new benchmark for endurance athletes, the way Roger Bannister made the four-minute mile feel possible. It might not be an official record, but I want it to become a mark other athletes chase. - Phil Gore
The Format6.71km on the hour, every hour. No competitors. No assist. Just one man against the clock.
The QuestionTraditional backyard ultras require two or more people to keep the event going. As soon as the second last person drops, the last person can only complete one more lap. How far can Phil go if that limitation is removed?
The WindowSunday 23rd August 8am (AWST) - Sunday 30th August 8am (AWST).
The LocationAlfred Skeet Reserve, Armadale Road, Forrestdale, WA.
The CauseEvery lap raises funds for Telethon, supporting sick and disadvantaged WA kids and their families.
Who Is Phil Gore

One of the most credentialled
backyard ultra athletes alive.

Phil Gore is a Western Australian ultra-endurance athlete and the reigning Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Champion. A working firefighter and father of four, Gore only took up backyard ultra racing a few years ago, and has already been nicknamed the "King of the Backyard" by the sport. A two-time Backyard Ultra world record holder with 14 wins from 16 backyard ultra events, he's widely regarded as one of the most respected athletes in the sport.

"It's been an amazing event. There's been a lot of time throughout this event where I've been really confused... I'm just looking forward to getting some proper sleep." - Phil Gore, after winning the 2025 Big's Backyard Ultra World Championship
Phil Gore between laps at an overnight ultra event
Between laps, on the clock
Phil Gore with the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra trophy
The Dead Cow Gully trophy: Phil's name etched in twice, 2023 and 2025
Why This Matters

A new benchmark for
human endurance.

01

Beyond the Format

Backyard ultras are designed to help athletes find their limit, except the winner usually stops because the event ends, not because they hit failure. 168 removes that limitation entirely.

02

A Bannister Moment

Not an official record, but a mark that reframes what's possible, the way the four-minute mile and the sub-two-hour marathon changed the ceiling for everyone who came after.

03

A Story Worth Telling

Running is having a cultural moment, and extreme human performance stories are cutting through. Project 168 has attracted broadcast, digital and documentary interest globally.

Running For WA Kids

Every lap counts for Telethon.

Phil Gore running on a Western Australian beach
Easy miles, Hamilton Island

BACK PHIL. SUPPORT WA KIDS.

Make a one-off donation to Project 168 and help Telethon support sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Western Australia. 100% of your donation goes directly to Telethon.

Prefer Apple Pay or want to view the full donation page? Donate here

Proudly supporting Telethon 7
Project 168 Supporters

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Want to run Lap 167 with Phil? Make a confidential donation pledge for The Assist.

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Phil Gore running alongside participants at a backyard ultra event
Run Lap 167 With Phil

Give Phil The Assist.

Lap 167 is the final supporter opportunity to step onto the course and run alongside Phil before the scheduled finish of Project 168.

Run 6.71 km beside Phil on his second-last scheduled lap, become part of a story being followed around the world, and help carry him toward 168 hours.

This special opportunity is available through a confidential donation pledge.

Tell us the amount you would be willing to donate to Project 168 for the opportunity to run Lap 167. The highest eligible pledger will be contacted first.

Lap 167 is “The Assist”—the final and most significant supporter opportunity to help carry Phil toward 168 hours. Pledges close Saturday 29 August at 8:00 pm AWST.

If Phil is still running and participation remains possible, the selected supporter may also be invited to join Phil for Lap 167 as a special bonus. No payment is taken when submitting a pledge and all pledge amounts remain private.

Can’t make it to Forrestdale? Select a time in your timezone and run a 6.71km virtual lap at the same time as Phil. Enter the lap number you want to join in, then be sure to upload a video and tag Phil when you do!

Project 168 official T-shirt
Merch

Wear the 168.

Grab the official Project 168 tee and back Phil before he even laces up. $10 from every shirt sold , will be donated directly to Project 168 and Telethon to support the cause.

Limited-edition Dometic 1L Chug Bottle with Project 168 branding and personalised name engraving
Limited-Edition Merch

Carry the 168.

Stay hydrated with a special-edition Dometic 1L Chug Bottle, laser engraved with Project 168 branding and available with your name for a personalised finish.

Built for big days, this one-litre stainless-steel bottle features double-wall vacuum insulation, a leakproof Chug lid and a convenient carry strap.

100% of profits from every bottle sold will be donated to Telethon, supporting children and families across Western Australia.

$68 · Limited-edition pre-order closes 30 August.

Optional name personalisation is available. Orders will be processed, engraved and shipped after Project 168.

In The Media

The story so far.

Phil's track record has already drawn national and international coverage. A selection of recent features:

ABC News: World Champion

Coverage of Phil's win at the 2025 Big's Backyard Ultra World Championship, 114 hours in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Read on ABC News →

Canadian Running Magazine

"Phil Gore threw down a 37-minute final yard after logging more than 750 kilometres on his legs": the full account of the World Championship win.

Read the article →

ABC News: World Record

How Phil set the Backyard Ultra world record at Dead Cow Gully, June 2025: 119 laps, 796km.

Read on ABC News →

Runner's World

Breakdown of the record-breaking run at Dead Cow Gully and what it means for the sport.

Read the article →

ABC News: Chasing the Record

An earlier profile on Phil as "the best backyard ultramarathon runner in Australia," from January 2023, ahead of his first world record push.

Read on ABC News →

The Cove: Talk with RMC-D

Phil spoke with Royal Military College Duntroon about his career in endurance running, from firefighter to world champion.

Read on The Cove →

Get Involved

Media enquiries & sponsorship

For interviews, accreditation, daily footage, or to discuss a partnership for Project 168, get in touch with the team direct.

Email Adam, Span Health