GOLDEN DAY OF RACING FOR ECKSTEIN AND MARRIOTT
Eckstein staged a great battle with veteran Dean Mercer early in the men's race before pulling away over the final third of the course to win by just over four minutes in commanding style.
It gave the 23-year-old his third nib Coolangatta Gold as well as a new race record of four hours and 51 seconds.
"I hope now that I've won it three times people might show a little respect, I think," Eckstein said
"I did pretty much the perfect race there."
Marriott found herself involved in a much closer battle, racing stride for stride and stroke for stroke with Elizabeth Pluimers over much of the course.
It wasn't until Pluimers began to struggle badly in the hot conditions during the final 7.5km run to the finish that Marriott was able to pull away and eventually finish 24 seconds ahead of defending champion Hayley Bateup in 3:15.39.
Pluimers dramatically collapsed twice in the final run to the line, the second time passing out only 20 metres from the finish.
Lapsing into unconsciousness she was carried from the course on a stretcher and revived in the first aid tent. After medical attention she recovered well enough to walk out of the medical tent but was declared a non-finisher, allowing Courtney Hancock to claim third place.
Alex Tibbits of the Sunshine Coast won the under-19 men's race, Mark Norris took the 30-39 years race, Jeff Lemarseny won the over-40 race and Melinda Pelly the over-30 women's race.
Sydney's Freshwater club struck double gold by taking out the men's and women's teams events.