For the last 10K , runners enjoy the color and energy of Crystal City . At the Pentagon , runners pass in close proximity to the Pentagon Memorial honoring the victims of 9/11 . Finally , the course unfurls alongside the Arlington National Cemetery then offers a final , up-hill challenge to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial . This finish has remained unchanged since the inaugural running of the MCM in 1976
9/11
September 11 attacks
Marine Corps Marathon