A new event and charity partner highlight the fourth running of the increasingly popular Splash and Dash Festival in Wollongong next week.

The two-day festival kicking off on Saturday, March 28, and continuing the following day, will for the first time include a 10-kilometre run around the scenic Wollongong harbour precinct.

In another first, the 2015 event will support the Leukaemia Foundation.

"We are proud to introduce this inaugural partnership with the Illawarra branch of the Leukaemia Foundation and encourage participants to get your heart pumping for blood cancer," organiser Rob Battocchio said.

Participants can sign up to raise funds as individuals and groups or simply make an online donation.

Battocchio said the festival offered the perfect mix of fun fitness events featuring fun runs, swims and aquathons.

Held in and around Wollongong Harbour and Flagstaff Hill, events kick off on the Saturday with a 2-kilometre swim, 800-metre Wollongong Harbour swim and 350-metre swim for children.

On Sunday, the runners will hit the road, with the new 10-kilometre fun run, as well as a 5-kilometre run and 2.5-kilometre children's event.

There will also be a two-leg aquathon, with a 650-metre swim and 5-kilometre run, a 250-metre swim and 2.5-kilometre run or 150-metre and 1.5-kilometre run for children.

"We're really excited about the 10-kilometre run event this year," Battocchio said.

"It's a single-lap race along the beautiful coastline and there's not many events which can boast such a wonderful place to run."

Unfortunately injury will rob Russell Dessaix-Chin, the winner of the past two 5-kilometre runs, from taking part.

But the 36-year-old, who collided with a car while riding a bicycle in Wollongong and was flown to a Sydney hospital, will take hold of the starter's gun at the Splash and Dash Festival.

Battocchio said he hopes Dessaix-Chin's involvement will help motivate others to compete.

Confirmed starters include talented teenage swimmer Tom Montgomery, who will compete in the main swimming event, just a month after taking out the Bondi Bluewater Challenge.

Experienced triathletes and members of the talented Wollongong Wizards' elite training group will also compete.

"It is not just about the elite athletes, there's something for everyone there and it really is about community participation," Battocchio said.

Information: splashdash.com.au