The new sport of Hydrothon – involving swimming, ski paddling and running for 22km – has been added to the 2013 Bay Sports Festival as one of eight to be contested between December 26 and 29 at Glenelg.

The festival runs parallel with the Bay Sheffield at Colley Reserve on the 27th and 28th – this year’s race is the 127th.

More than 850 athletes race for $57,000.00 in prize money across 21 running events. The feature race – the 120 metre Open Bay Sheffield Gift – attracts runners from all over Australia,

Another 1000 athletes compete in the festival’s eight disciplines – one of which is almost brand new.

“The Hydrothon was devised by Steve Southwell who is a keen Surf Ski Paddler and Tri-athlete in Sydney,” Hydrothon spokesman and former North Adelaide SANFL premiership footballer Craig Burton said.

“The first Hydrothon was run in October this year at Cronulla and won by Iron Man Hayden Allum who will be coming to Adelaide to compete.”

Covering 22.30km, the Hydrothon includes a 1.3km swim, 11km ski paddle and 10km run.

Springing up all over Australia, the Hydrothon is regarded the most exciting multi-discipline surf sport since triathlon.

The course at Glenelg is all south of the jetty with a mass start at 1pm on Sunday, December 29.

The leading competitors at the inaugural Adelaide Hydrothon 22.30 will include Hayden Allum, Jake Nicholson and dual Olympian Hannah Davis.

From the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Allum is a multiple national medallist and a current “Nutri Grain” Iron Man competitor.

An Adelaide boy, Nicholson now lives on the Gold Coast and competes for Northcliffe SLSC and is a former South Australian Iron Man champion.

Beijing bronze medallist in the women’s K4 (kayak) and member of Olympic team in 2012, Davis has been a Glenelg SLSC member since she was five years old.

“I raced the Kayak world champs in August and when I go home I saw this event advertised,” Davis explained.

“After reviving the mind and body with a holiday in Europe, training for the Hydrothon gives me a real opportunity to do some base work and getting good fitness.

“I’m used to racing over 90 seconds, so this will take me upwards of two hours.

“I’ll be just happy to complete the event at this stage.”

Endurance beach events ask competitors to have a strong blend of explosive pace and staying power.

“This event requires athletes to be competent at all three disciplines,” Burton said.