Marathon Derby officials are ready to make an exception to the six month residency rule and allow a former champion to compete in the popular May 24 race.

Three-time winner Tony Ryan, who has not competed in the event since his last victory in 1989 and has since returned to his native Canada, is hoping to run in the annual classic when he returns to Bermuda on vacation in May.

Ryan, whose running career in Bermuda was halted by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which he suffered after his 1989 victory, has made a full recovery from the illness. However, he has also made it clear that he has no interest in lifting a fourth title, but rather wants to compete to be a part of the special occasion.

Ryan was, along with Mike Watson, the most successful runner in the Derby in the 1980s, notching three wins in four years ('86, '88 and '89) before illness brought his career to a quick halt and he returned to Canada soon after.

Greg Hopkins, with whom Ryan will stay while in Bermuda, has already spoken to race officials about Ryan's participation.

"Although he has recovered significantly from Chronic Fatigue, he has no intention of coming down here and getting involved in the race at all,'' said Hopkins yesterday.

"He's coming to stay with me for a week and he always wanted to run May 24 and enjoy the occasion and the crowds. He just wants to run middle to back of the pack and enjoy the day and see a lot of his friends that he had while he was here.

"As such I approached the organisers, the BTFA road running committee and the race organisers, and they were happy to let him do that. He just wants to come down here and enjoy it and I think it's a great idea.'' Hopkins said Ryan missed the special occasion of the Marathon Derby, one of the most popular events on the local sports calendar.

"He has often said that in all the events that he has done anywhere in the world, nothing has the atmosphere of May 24,'' said Hopkins.

In the few years Ryan worked in Bermuda as an accountant, he made a name for himself on the running scene. In fact, his time of 1:11.49 in 1988 was a Marathon Derby record before Kavin Smith lowered that time twice in 1993 (1:11.27) and 1997 (1:09.49).

"He has always said you don't get time to take in the atmosphere and enjoy it because you are working so hard,'' added Hopkins.

"I think it's a nice gesture to allow him to do it and I hope everybody embraces the idea.'' Hopkins noted that Ryan, while having recovered sufficiently from the illness to return to running, no longer competed at the level he used to.

"He is pretty much out of it (CFS) now although he doesn't train anywhere near the intensity he used to when he was doing triathlon or racing seriously.

He's got children now and heavy work commitments.

"When he does come out and do races you can tell by his times that he is the same Tony Ryan, but just a little older. He still has incredible ability and I'm sure he could race it but that's not his intention at all.'' Visitors competing in Bermuda's most popular race has long been a thorny issue. Several years ago a six-month residency requirement was introduced, though Canadian David House, who did not meet those requirements, was able to compete last year and finish fifth.

House, an architectural technologist, had only been on the Island a few weeks but went through the proper channel of registering and was given a number. He was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and his fifth place finish was allowed to stand. The race committee later admitted that the residency requirements were not clearly outlined on the entry form.

"That will be rectified for next year,'' said race official Richard Tucker after the 1998 race.

On the road again: Tony Ryan, pictured here ahead of rival Mike Watson during one of his three Marathon Derby victories in the 1980s, wants to return to compete in this year's May 24 classic.