Houston marathon to field more runners

HOUSTON -- Organizers of the Houston marathon say they're increasing the size of the field while dropping a lottery system in favor of registration that's first-come, first-served.

The changes will take effect in 2016 for the Chevron Houston Marathon and its companion race, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

Wade Morehead, executive director of the Houston Marathon Committee, tells the Houston Chronicle the combined field for both events will grow to 27,000 from 25,000. A change in the race course eliminated some congested areas and allows for more runners.

Morehead says the lottery system may have deterred out-of-town participants and says runners had pushed for registration that's on a first-come basis.

He notes the races have sold out for the past 10 years.

The marathon and half marathon are held each January.