May 24 Half-Marathon Derby organiser Gina Tucker yesterday backed their decision to open the annual spectacle to tourists pointing out that tourism could benefit from the new change.The rules had stated that a competitor must have lived in Bermuda for at least three months to be considered a resident, and therefore, be allowed to participate in the race.But the rule has now been scrapped allowing non-residents the opportunity to pound the pavement with residents.For Tucker, it is the right thing to do, especially in the difficult economic times, and said that tourists have indeed ran in previous years without anyone knowing they weren’t from Bermuda.“The decision was made by the committee and we feel it’s the right thing to do,” said Tucker.“There has never been a way by which we could determine that everyone running previous years is a resident, so we’re at a time when tourism is important to the economy as well as the continued development of the event.“How fair is it to have a worker who arrived three months ago be granted permission but one that has been here for two months can’t? So for us it was the eventual next step for the growth of the race.“Some people arrive six weeks or two months before the event as workers and would like to run.”The race will not, however, be turned into an elite competition and will keep its rich tradition, stressed Tucker.She added that tourists had been competing under the radar for many years, anyway.“There is no intentions for the race to lose its heritage. They will be clearly identified, there is no big prize for them and it isn’t intended on being an elitist race, so here we are.“This will certainly be a boost for the economy, everyone will benefit from this, so I would hope that they would welcome them. We don’t know that numbers yet but Bermuda is a place that is tourist based.“Over the past three years tourists have been signing up anyway, so there was no way for us to know who was who unless we asked the entire field for identification.“This is basically making something that has been going on for years now official.”The decision wasn’t without community approval, with the committee polling many residents on the issue, with most having no qualms about the decision to allow tourists to race, said Tucker.Another change will see competitors donating money to a charity of their choice.“We took an unofficial poll last year and most people welcomed the idea of having tourists. We know some people might feel a little put off by it but I feel the country will think of the larger good and the opportunity for the Island,” said Tucker.“Little did people know that they have been running over the years, and you don’t know until after.“After years of thinking on how we can get better and coming from the conclusion that it doesn’t necessarily hurt to have them running and we are not running an elite event.“Each competitor will be donating money to a charity of their choice as well.