The Sand to Surf competition attracted about 1000 swimmers to Pilot Bay as two world class Australians conquered the elite 2.6km 'I'm Going Long' race.

Rhys Mainstone won the men's race with Melissa Gorman first across the finish line in the women's race.

Crossing the finish line of the Sand to Surf event at Pilot Bay. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Mainstone finished 10 seconds ahead of George O'Brien while Bay of Plenty's Nathan Capp and Kane Radford added some drama to the third place finish.

Rotorua's Radford held off Tauranga's Capp until the last 50 metres when Capp stormed past to take third place in 28.38 with Radford two seconds behind in 28.40.

Event director Scott Rice says the day has been great and the weather has been perfect.

'To see the people cross the finish line and achieve their goals is great. There is good numbers and a great elite race earlier on. It was a very tight race and it came right down to the wire.

'All in all it's going very well. We have a few more events to go and we are looking forward to see more swimmers coming through the finish line.”

The Sand to Surf race was due to be held on Mount Main Beach but due to predictions of three metres swells was shifted to Pilot Bay.

'We had 1120 people registered, but there are probably a few people who have decided not to come to Pilot Bay because they were looking forward to swimming the Mount Main Beach.

'”I think we have about 1000 swimmers here across all the four events. So that's a great effort. It's the biggest event we have had at The Mount.”