The course for this year's SunTrust National Marathon emphasizes the city's history, and to help highlight the neighborhoods along the route, several stretches of the course have been given nicknames.

As in years past, the National Marathon and Half Marathon will start and finish at RFK Stadium, but race officials promised some surprising new routes as well. After leaving RFK, East Capitol Street will offer runners their first look at the U.S. Capitol and other monuments. By mile five, they will start up 18th Street -- a change from years past -- close in on Dupont Circle on their way to Adams Morgan and then on to Columbia Road. Then runners will get another glimpse of the Capitol dome as they run along North Capitol Street. For the first time, mile 18 will take the crowd by the Maine Avenue waterfront and the new Nationals stadium, then across the river to Anacostia for the final leg of the race.

• Capitol Hill Charge: East Capitol Street from RFK Stadium to Second Street (miles 1 and 2 and miles 14 and 15)



• National Mall Madness: Columbia Road to Harvard Street, NW (miles 3 and 4 and miles 16 and 17)



• Dupont Circle Dash: 18th Street at Connecticut Avenue, NW (mile 5)



• Kalorama Climb: Columbia Road, NW (mile 6)



• Adams Morgan Minute: Columbia Road to Harvard Street, NW (mile 7)



• Bison Bend: Howard University at Fourth and Harvard Streets (mile 8)



• Children's Hospital Scramble: Michigan Avenue from First Street, NW, to North Capitol Street (mile 8)



• Bloomingdale Bustle: North Capitol Street at Rhode Island Avenue (mile 9)



• Eckington Oomph: North Capitol Street at Florida Avenue (mile 10)



• H Street High-Speed: H Street, NE, from Fourth Street to 13th Street (mile 11)



• Southwest Waterfront Wonder: Water Street from Ninth Street to Anacostia River Trail and P Street, SW, from Fourth Street to South Capitol Street (mile 18)



• Stadium Surge: South Capitol Street at P Street in Southeast (mile 19)



• Anacostia Annex: Anacostia Park from South Cap Street to Fairlawn (miles 21and 22)



• Penn Passage: Pennsylvania Avenue at Fairlawn and L’Enfant Square in Southeast (mile 23)



• Minnesota Avenue Mania: Minnesota Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to East Capitol Street (miles 24 and 25)