More than 71,000 runners signed up for 45,000 spots in the Chicago Marathon this year, marathon officials said Monday.
Registration for the marathon lottery ended at noon Monday. Runners will be notified April 14 if they won the lottery to compete in the Oct. 12 race.
The lottery was new for the 2014 race after years of first-come, first-serve sign-ups. Last year, the marathon registration system was so overwhelmed that officials shut it down. A lottery was held for the remaining 15,000 spots.
The marathon switched systems this year. The lottery was delayed by two weeks so officials could test the new system. Lottery registration opened March 19.
U.S. runners who won the lottery pay $185 for their race bibs. International runners pay $210.
Runners who didn't win the lottery can be guaranteed entry into the race by running for a charity. There is a fundraising requirement that varies among charities. There is no limit to charity entries into the race.
