Despite reportedly failing to meet stringent residency requirements, eight-time women's champion Sandra Mewett will compete in this month's Marathon Derby.

Although Mewett's eligibility came into question because she left the Island to live in New Zealand more than a year ago, the matter was resolved after discussion at a meeting between race organiser Richard Tucker and his committee on Wednesday evening.

"The committee felt that Sandra Mewett should be allowed to run. She is not a stranger to the running fraternity and Bermuda and she has been a champion of the women's division of the marathon on several occasions,'' said Tucker.

"We decided to offer her the same courtesy that we show students studying abroad. Sometimes, even at the eleventh hour, these students come home and are granted permission to run. This year alone we have had some parents notify us that they have a son or daughter who are coming home and we have given them permission. So we are extending the same courtesy to Sandra.'' It is understood that concern over her eligibility was brought to the attention of the race committee privately. And they then decided to discuss the matter at length before accepting her entry.

Mewett apparently moved to New Zealand in 1995 and didn't return to compete last year. Marathon Derby rules state that all runners should have resided in the Island for at least six months prior to the race.

Mewett is understood to be arriving back on the Island this weekend. This year's race is set for Monday, May 26 as the traditional date, May 24, falls on a Saturday.

Having had her entry accepted, Mewett will almost certainly be a contender for both overall and masters (over 40) honours. She has been arguably the most successful female runner in the history of the event.

Top runner Julia Hawley and defending champion Karen Adams both agreed Mewett's inclusion would add appeal, although Hawley felt that a precedent may have been set if she had been allowed to enter while not residing in Bermuda.

"I think she is a great person, she certainly has motivated me a lot in my few years of running and I have no problem with her running again,'' said Hawley.

"But I think you have to be careful when it comes to rules. As much as you like a person and as much as you would like to see them run, you have to ask if it is fair and are they applying the rules properly.

"If she was away on holiday then she should be allowed to run. If you are Bermudian it's no issue at all. But in her case all of the facts are not clear.

"I recall the case of Lynn Kynoch when she had to return her prizes (from the International Marathon) which I agreed with, and Sandra should be treated the same if there are similarities. You have to apply rules consistently or you don't apply them at all.'' Hawley also referred to the occasion when a college student friend of Terrence Armstrong entered the race but was forced to withdraw after being declared ineligible.

"If there is a residency rule, then it's a rule. But there is much we really don't know about Sandra's case,'' added Hawley.

Adams, however, placed the matter in the hands of the committee and said she backed their decision.

"If Sandra is eligible then I support her entry. Whatever the committee have decided is fine. I guess it would be a shame to make a race less exciting for any reason. She is a previous winner and I would think the public would want to see her back,'' said Adams.

"It's great news that she is confirmed. It will be nice to compete against her again. It will make the women's race that much more exciting.'' Mewett last won the race in 1994, finishing in a time of 1:30.16. In 1995 she was second in 1:25.19 behind Maria Conroy Hayden (1:23.22), who will miss this year's race because she is pregnant.

Admas captured the honours last year in 1:28.07.

SANDRA MEWETT -- the eight-time Marathon Derby champion has been given the all-clear to compete again despite no longer being an Island resident.