Chamber Of Commerce Reassumes Control Of Palm Beaches Marathon

The Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce yesterday confirmed that it has “reassumed control of the Palm Beaches Marathon, ending a turbulent three-year run under owner Chris Devine,” according to Hal Habib of the PALM BEACH POST. The chamber is “negotiating with four organizations interested in producing the event for a few years with the hope that if all goes well, that group eventually would purchase it outright.” Although the chamber oversaw the race the first five years, it "has no desire to do so again -- nor does it want to sell the race right away.” Devine arrived with “a checkered past that included IRS liens and complaints of nonpayments to vendors and runners.” He said that Palm Beach “represented a fresh start, but last December's event was criticized for a myriad of problems.” The chamber's agreement with Devine “included a non-disparagement clause protecting the former owner.” Attorney Paul Krasker, a member of the executive committee that founded the race, made it “clear that the chamber wishes to distance itself from him.” Habib notes at least two of the negotiating groups said that they “might bring back Dave McGillivray, the original race director who also directs the Boston Marathon” (PALM BEACH POST, 3/1).