2001 marine corps marathon the status of the 2001 mcm was in serious question until three weeks prior to the scheduled event day. post-9/11, approval by the commandant of the marine corps to proceed with the marathon was contingent upon a new security plan. with approval in place, mile five on the mcm course gave runners an up-close view of the terrorist attack on the pentagon. many 2001 mcm finishers agree this was a very special year. more than 15,000 runners from 50 states and 39 countries participated in the 26th annual marine corps marathon.