After a careful review of Boston Marathon rules and regulations, it has been determined that Keith Barrett has in fact posted a time that will allow him to enter the 2006 race.

Barrett, who turns 45 in a few months, ran a time of 3 hours, 30 minutes at the HP Houston Marathon as a 44-year-old in January.  While the time would not have been quick enough to qualify him in the 40-44-year-old age bracket – a 3 hour, 20 minute time is required -- because the legendary Pine Belt Pacer will be 45 at the time of the 2006 Boston Marathon he will be able to enter at the 45-49-year-old bracket, which requires a time of under 3:30:59.

The result means that Barrett can join a pair of other Pacers, Robin Ryder and Jim Coll, at the 2006 event.  Ryder and Coll each posted Boston qualifying times at the HP Houston Marathon as well.

While Barrett is taking time to put together his traditional marathon training schedule he expressed one regret – that he did not get an opportunity to celebrate as he crossed the finish line in Houston. However, he quickly asserts that there will be plenty of opportunities to “celebrate” between now and April 2006.

The news of Barrett’s good fortune was met with congratulatory messages from a majority of the Pacers, including Coll and Ryder, who welcome Barrett’s presence on a trip to Boston.

“Early this year the Pine Belt Pacers were pleased to have two runners qualify for Boston,” Coll said. “But because of his well-known talents and subsequent one-liners, Keith has the ability to make the trip not only memorable, but epic.”

The decision by the Boston Athletic Association was not greeted with joy by all, however. Notably, Tony Mozingo, a Barrett rival, has challenged the ruling.

“Keith has already acknowledged following the Houston race that he did not possess the ‘focus’ to qualify for Boston,” said Mozingo, who thus far has posted zero victories in head-to-head marathon meetings with Barrett. “I’m not sure the BAA knows exactly who they are letting into what I thought was a prestigious race.”

Mozingo pointed out that a surprising number of Barretts had completed the marathon in recent years.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Keith, we all know how strong he will be on Boston’s hills,” the former Ironman said, “but my first thought is that there is some sort of mix up. I’m sure they’ll straighten it out shortly.”

Despite repeated contacts from Mozingo, BAA President Thomas S. Grilk said his organization has no plans to review the decision.

“We’ve heard Mr. Mozingo’s arguments, and frankly they are not at all persuasive, especially knowing his reputation as one of the southeast’s most formidable attorneys,” Grilk said. “I understand his questions about the rule, but I’m not sure what the Ironman or Miller Lite have to do with the Boston Marathon. Unless there is some other issue, we welcome Mr. Barrett’s appearance in 2006.”

In the meantime, Barrett, Coll and Ryder have planned several long training runs to take place in the near future. Neither Barrett nor Mozingo, however, would comment on if Mozingo had been contacted to participate in the runs.

While Coll would not provide a definitive answer on if Mozingo had been contacted, he commented that within the group there was the general feeling that the long runs be reserved for “Boston-only” Pacers.

“We all like Tony, don’t get me wrong,” Coll said. “But we’ve reviewed his most recent marathon performance, and Keith, with the time he plans to spend pausing for beverages in Boston, is not sure if we should make that many stops at medical tents too.”

“Perhaps if he teaches me how to swim,” added Coll, who is quickly developing a reputation as the slowest swimmer among Hattiesburg-area triathletes, “I’ll try to talk with Keith and Robin again.”