The reinstated Palm Beaches Marathon could run through the island this year.

Race organizers are working on the route and received permission from the Town Council on Tuesday to meet with Palm Beach officials earlier than normal this summer to discuss the plan. In the past, Palm Beach has not allowed the race to come over the bridge.

To allow runners to cross onto the island, race organizers need a special event permit. A town ordinance prohibits event organizers from filing the application more than 90 days in advance of the event.

Ken Kennerly CEO of K2 Sports Ventures, which acquired the former Eau Palm Beach Marathon & Run Fest last year from the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches asked the council for a waiver so he can get started earlier with race planning. The FITTEAM Palm Beaches Marathon, which also includes a half marathon and 5k race, is scheduled Dec. 1-3.

The race was cancelled last year.

Were looking to bring this race back to prominence, said Kennerly, also executive director of the Honda Classic. This gives us two additional months. From an operational, logistics standpoint, all were looking for is to create a seamless and unobtrusive event for your residents and guests.

Gary Ferman, a spokesman for the race, wouldnt say whether the plan involves crossing onto the island.

Nothing has been determined yet along those lines, he said via email. The routes for this years races are under development and have not been finalized to this point.

Town Manager Tom Bradford said race organizers have discussed several options for routes but he isnt sure what they will end up proposing.

My position on it is if it is considered, the impact has to be de minimis in terms of area impacted and time of day, Bradford said via email. We told them a special event permit is required, and due to the potential magnitude, it would have to be approved by the Town Council. We told them timing would also have to consider President Trump being here or not.

Former race denied

In 2015, former race manager Meryl Leventon asked the town for permission for an estimated 3,000 runners to cross the Royal Park Bridge and race down South Ocean Boulevard before exiting on the Southern Boulevard Bridge. The town denied the permit and Leventon appealed to the council.

The council voted 3-2 to reject the appeal. Current members Danielle Moore and Richard Kleid were the ones who were willing to give the marathon a trial run. The three members who voted against allowing the race are no longer on the council. Mayor Gail Coniglio and her son Nick Coniglio at the time also supported the 3-mile proposed route onto the island.

LETTER: Marathon should be allowed on island

Kennerly said his grandparents owned a home near Sloans Curve and he has spent a lot of time in Palm Beach.

I certainly understand what makes Palm Beach one of the greatest places on this planet, he said. Professionally, Ive had the opportunity to work with your officials, Jay Boodheshwar in particular on the Palm Beach Par 3. Weve had several events in Palm Beach and I hope he and his staff would attest to the quality and professionalism that we maintain.

One of the goals of the race is to take advantage of the picturesque setting that the water views along Flagler Drive provide, it states in a March news release.

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Will Palm Beach be part of new Palm Beaches Marathon this winter? - Palm Beach Daily News