Scripting Classic end

Eckstein to put it all on the line to claim his title

ALL good stories have a fairytale ending and that’s exactly what Shannon Eckstein will be hoping for when he competes in the inaugural Shannon Eckstein Classic this weekend.

After 19 years of elite racing, the 36-year-old launched the Classic as his parting gift to the sport he loves before he hangs up the budgie smugglers.

“I’d love to win this event but knowing that a lot of the boys have been peaking for this event,” he said. “I know I’m going to give myself a chance but obviously it’d be a fairytale to win this.”

The Classic presents the richest single day on the ironman calendar with $5000 on offer in today’s Dash for Cash at Northcliffe and $20,000 up for the winner of the ironman and woman races tomorrow.

So enticing is the lure of a quick payday that the season’s dominant ironman Ali Day chose not to compete in last week’s state ironman final.

After battling with injury himself and also opting out of the ironman final, Eckstein said he’s almost at full fitness.

“Since I had the calf injury, my body was never going to be 100 per cent come Aussies but I’ve been doing everything I can to be the best I can be,” he said.

“In the back of my mind, I’m still worried about it going again when I’m wading.”

Injury hasn’t been the only thing playing on Eckstein’s mind as he’s made the transition from athlete to event organiser.

“I haven’t slept that well the past two nights, not because I’m nervous about racing but because I’m nervous because I have my name on an event and I want it to go well,” he said.

“Now it’s here, we’ve got a lot of signage up so I’m really excited.”

Despite suggestions Eckstein should take out the inaugural race with his name on it, his little brother Caine has other plans should it come down to a sprint to the finish.

“I’m a lot softer than him in that respect in that there’s no way he’d let me win,” he said.

Fellow Northcliffe ironwoman Courtney Hancock said it would be sad to see her mate retire but she tipped Eckstein to go out with a win.