Tourists running in the May 24 Half-Marathon Derby may be forced to start the race 20 minutes after locals and sign a “non elite athlete’” waiver form.Gina Tucker, head of the organising committee, also warned that any overseas athlete threatening to win the Derby would be immediately pulled from the race.Some of the Island’s leading runners hit out last week over the decision by organisers to allow overseas runners to run the race one of the Island’s biggest sporting spectacles.Previously the rules had stated that only Bermudians and residents who have lived on the Island for at least three months would be allowed to compete.But Tucker yesterday defended her committee’s controversial move and insisted having tourists compete would not devalue the Derby’s rich Bermudian heritage.She pointed out overseas athletes had slipped under the radar in previous years and run without anyone knowing they weren’t from Bermuda.“From the beginning of time this race has included tourists, they have always run just without anyone knowing it,” said Tucker, who revealed 15 tourists had so far entered the race.“There’s always a chance someone we don’t know will show up on the line and prove whatever point they want to prove it’s happened in the past.“We had several tourists in the last year’s race, it’s just that people didn’t know about it.”Back in the 1980s Swiss runner Karl Kupferschmidt, an unofficial entry without a number, caused uproar by crossing the finish line ahead of local Gary Wilkinson, who was later crowned the official champion.Tucker insisted measures were being taken to prevent a similar embarrassment happening again.“We’re trying to manage the inevitable rather than just letting it happen,” she said. “There’s been no attempt to attract or invite people to come and race, this is not an elite event and we don’t want elite overseas athletes.“We may get tourists to sign a waiver to say they aren’t looking for an elite experience. If they don’t they could be pulled from the race. Another option is to get them to start the race 15 or 20 minutes later than locals.”Under fire Tucker also explained the committee’s unpopular decision to get rid of prizes for age group winners and scrap the annual prize-giving ceremony.She said the race budget had been cut in half after ING their joint main sponsor along with Appleby had pulled their funding.“Right now we’re operating on $35,000 from Appleby and the entry fees we receive from each runner, that’s our budget,” said Tucker.“ING were committed to three years of sponsorship and we’re thankful for those years but now we don’t have them. ING had matched Appleby’s $30-35,000 sponsorship and so we’ve lost half of our sponsorship that’s a significant drop in funding.”In the past, approximately $15-20, 000 has been allocated to prize money, said Tucker, who hopes they can still award some prizes to the male and female age group winners.She also angrily hit back at suggestions the committee were “lining their own pockets” instead of handing out prizes.“Either we give prizes or we don’t give medals and T-shirts to each runner,” she said. “We’re not giving prizes because we don’t want to. In the past we’ve given $20,000 worth of prizes alone, but when you lose $35,000 of your funding something has to give.“Hopefully we will at least be able to give a little something back to the male and female age group winners.”She continued: “The Derby committee is totally offended that it would be implied or suggested that this event is being used to ‘line pockets.’ Everyone on the committee puts in hours of time on a voluntary basis.”Attempts have been made to drum up for more funding for next week’s race, said Tucker, who yesterday appealed for potential sponsors to come forward.“We have attempted to raise additional funds but the money is not out there. Our goal is to get back to where we can hand out the sort of prizes we have given in the past.“I invite any corporate sponsor to contact us if they’re willing to sponsor us for prizes. I thank all who have supported the committee and our efforts to ensure a quality event for everyone.”