marathon organizers examined the course for the 1977 mcm and secured permits to run through washington, d.c. the new route laid the foundation for the scenic course in place today, starting in arlington, virginia, winding its way around key landmarks in the nation's capital, and returning for the traditional finish at the marine corps war memorial. with changes to the course and a surge of positive publicity from the first running, the second mcm drew a field of 2,655 runners.