Torrential rain and subsequent dirtied water led Wollongong City Council to close various beaches in the region during  the week, threatening to derail the Splash ’n’ Dash’s seven events. 

But the rain broke and competitors flocked to the starting line to swim and run their way around Wollongong Harbour.

“It was a spectacular success, considering how the week started,” said event organiser Rob Battocchio.

“Water quality was affected during the week, but come the weekend, the water was perfect and the weather shone on us.”

Mr Battocchio said the event posted a record turnout in Saturday’s ocean swim events, with more than 350 people nearly doubling the size of last year’s field.

About 700 people took part in fun runs and aquathons on Sunday.

The gods of fate have not been kind to Mr Battocchio’s events as of late.

He said last year’s Splash ’n’ Dash was scheduled for the same weekend as the devastating Kiama hurricanes, and this year’s Australia Day Aquathon – which Mr Battocchio also organises – was threatened by a sewage leak in Wollongong Harbour.

“This year we had a once-in-a-decade storm affect the event, but the site still held up spectacularly well,” he said.

“It’s a testament to the hard work of more than 100 volunteers across the weekend.”