Runners race over the Hoan Bridge in the 2011 Summerfest Rock 'n Sole race. Summerfest officials questioned the timing of a proposed new marathon and half marathon through the city, because it would be so close to their annual race. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

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In marathon parlance, the organizer of the proposed Milwaukee Marathon hit the wall on Wednesday.

Chris Ponteri, a professonal running event organizer, appeared before members of the Common Council's Public Works Committee seeking a special events permit to stage a marathon tentatively planned for Sunday, April 26, 2015.

But after Ponteri discussed the potential of what he called a big-city marathon, Ald. Willie Wade angrily called him out, saying Ponteri had not reached out to African-Americans as a part of the planning process.

Wade, who is African-American, said it was insulting to ignore African-Americans in the city, both in terms of planning the race route and consulting with leaders on how best to organize the rest.

"It doesn't come through the African-American community at all," Wade said. "There is no excuse for that. You can't keep cutting African-Americans out of the decisions. We need to be at the table when the decision is made."

Ponteri said he would seek to be more inclusive of all Milwaukee residents, including African-Americans, and would tweak the race route. He said later he had called Wade's office on Tuesday, but was told by a person in the alderman's office that he would not meet with Ponteri.

Wade said he was in support of the race, but said, "European-Americans make all these decisions without talking to African-Americans."

A proposed route Ponteri discussed with committee members starts along N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, runs north to Kenwood Blvd., through the east side, down Brady St., through Schlitz Park, and then downtown. The route would then cross the 27th St. Viaduct to the south side, west on W. National Ave., to N. 35th St., and north across the 35th St. Viaduct.

The route would loop around Washington Park, connect with Doyne Park and through the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Hank Aaron State Trail. The route would go through Mitchell Park, parts of Walker's Point and the Third Ward before finishing near Lakeshore State Park.

At the meeting, Summerfest officials raised concerns about the timing of the event. The Summerfest Rock 'N Sole Run is also held in the spring, and the two races would be just weeks apart. This year's Rock 'N Sole Run is Saturday.

Frank Nicotera, Summerfest's general counsel, said the festival had concerns about the Milwaukee Marathon.

"We're concerned that a new event could affect the race," Nicotera said. "We want to make sure we don't harm our event."

Nicotera said Summerfest would not object to the proposed Milwaukee Marathon if it only staged a marathon.

The committee took no action on the request for a special events permit.