Londinium Pedo
The Londinium Pedo is a treasure hunt on foot. This is event leads entrants on a
historical and educational tour (combined with a "quiz") of some of the less known, yet
interesting, areas of the City. It may be participated in as a social event or one with a
competitive nature – for many it is a mixture of both. The event takes place on a Sunday
afternoon. The overall route is circular, comprising six sections. For each, a competing
team is allowed thirty minutes. Also, each section will have a different style of route
(perhaps a map, descriptive, or photographic) to present the competitor with some
navigational challenge. Over the course of each section they will be expected to answer
a dozen questions - these are all to be answered from permanent features within the
City, e.g. inscriptions on monuments, Blue Plaques, Architect stones, etc. By starting
competitors at two minute intervals from each of the six starts, we are able to avoid any
grouping around the route. Typically the first competitors will start at 1:00 pm and the
last at 1:28 pm, thereby the last scheduled finisher will be at 4:28 (although some
lateness may occur). A communal finish is optionally attended where provisional results
are announced. Teams comprise one or two persons,
although there is a "mini" event which runs concurrently
and is aimed at older persons or those with young
children (e.g. in push chairs). The total number of teams is normally about 120 (to
achieve this a few teams start at minute intervals).
The event takes place entirely on the streets (footpaths) and public spaces of the City of
London. Occasionally we have used private areas (with appropriate permission).
The six controls are manned by around ten "marshals". All entries are made before the
event – it is not possible to manage new starters on the day. Their duties are simply to
start their group of 15 teams at two-minute intervals. Once their starters have all
departed, competitors from the previous control will arrive (scheduled at two minute
intervals). Their completed route card from the previous section is received (and timed)
and the next route card issued (not before their scheduled time). Once their starters have
completed all six sections they will return and be timed in and their route card received.
That is the end of competition. In the interim and subsequently, the marshal will mark the
route cards they have received for the preceding section. Marshals will then move to the
communal finish where all marks are aggregated and provisional results announced –
hopefully not too long after the last competitor has finished.
Many
competitors return year after year. Indeed, the children of some our
earliest competitors now enter in their own right accompanied by their
children! At the finish, teams eagerly compare their results with
those of friends or family rivals. There is great camaraderie
with other entrants and each year this is eagerly renewed. A number of classes, with separate
awards, are run so novices may see how they fare against others with similar experience (or
lack of it). The top of the field is hotly contested, with people eager to topple the reigning
champions. However, many enter purely for a pleasant (but brisk) afternoon stroll and see it as a
way to explore parts of the City they might otherwise overlook. Indeed, a significant number return
a few weeks after the event to repeat the route at a far more leisurely pace and to enjoy the new
discoveries.
The event is open to all. Teams are of one or two persons -= so if there are more of you enter
multiple teams and see how you fare against family, friends or colleagues. Some companies have a
number of participating teams and there is considerable (friendly) rivalry between them. Should you wish to learn
more about the event please download our Newcomers’ Guide here. Details and regulations for the next event can be
found elsewhere on the site.
We have run this event without incident for nearly fifty years and are proud that the Police have always considered it a
well-organised event. Our other annual event, the Miglia Quadrato – night time motoring equivalent) has run in the
City since 1957 - the present organisers have been running both events since 1971/1972. We enjoy a very good
relationship with the City of London Police and the Corporation of the City of London who sanction the event.
- Home
- Miglia Quadrato - description
- Miglia Quadrato - nutshell
- Miglia Quadrato - farewell
- Miglia Quadrato - questions
- Miglia Quadrato - questions and answers
- Miglia Quadrato - recollections
- Miglia Quadrato - roll of honour
- Miglia Quadrato - roll of honour 2 crew
- Londinium Pedo - description
- Londinium Pedo - nutshell
- Londinium Pedo - next event
- Londinium Pedo - questions and answers
- Londinium Pedo - recollections
- Londinium Pedo - roll of honour
- History
- History - race meetings
- History - speed trials
- History - rallies
- Contacts
- Privacy
Londinium Pedo
The Londinium Pedo is a
treasure hunt on foot.
This is event leads
entrants on a historical
and educational tour
(combined with a "quiz")
of some of the less
known, yet interesting,
areas of the City. It may
be participated in as a
social event or one with
a competitive nature – for many it is a mixture
of both. The event takes place on a Sunday
afternoon. The overall route is circular,
comprising six sections. For each, a competing
team is allowed thirty minutes. Also, each
section will have a different style of route
(perhaps a map, descriptive, or photographic)
to present the competitor with some
navigational challenge. Over the course of
each section they will be expected to answer
a dozen questions - these are all to be
answered from permanent features within the
City, e.g. inscriptions on monuments, Blue
Plaques, Architect stones, etc. By starting
competitors at two minute intervals from
each of the six starts, we are able to avoid
any grouping around the route. Typically the
first competitors will start at 1:00 pm and the
last at 1:28 pm, thereby the last scheduled
finisher will be at 4:28 (although some
lateness may occur). A communal finish is
optionally attended where provisional results
are announced. Teams comprise one or two
persons, although there is a "mini" event
which runs concurrently and is aimed at older
persons or those with young children (e.g. in
push chairs). The total number of teams is
normally about 120 (to achieve this
a
few teams start at minute
intervals).
The event takes place
entirely on the streets
(footpaths) and public spaces
of the City of London.
Occasionally we have used
private areas (with
appropriate permission).
The six controls are manned
by around ten "marshals". All
entries are made before the
event – it is not possible to
manage new starters on the day. Their duties
are simply to start their group of 15 teams at
two-minute intervals. Once their starters have
all departed, competitors from the previous
control will arrive (scheduled at two minute
intervals). Their completed route card from
the previous section is received (and timed)
and the next route card issued (not before
their scheduled time). Once their starters
have completed all six sections they will
return and be timed in and their route card
received. That is the end of competition. In
the interim and subsequently, the marshal will
mark the route cards they have received for
the preceding section. Marshals will then
move to the communal finish where all marks
are aggregated and provisional results
announced – hopefully not too long after the
last competitor has finished.
Many
competitors return year after
year. Indeed, the children of some
our
earliest competitors now
enter in their own right
accompanied by their
children! At the finish, teams
eagerly compare their results
with those of friends or
family rivals. There is great
camaraderie with other
entrants and each year this is
eagerly renewed. A number of
classes, with separate awards, are run so
novices may see how they fare against others
with similar experience (or lack of it). The top
of the field is hotly contested, with people
eager to topple the reigning champions.
However, many enter purely for a pleasant
(but brisk) afternoon stroll and see it as a way
to explore parts of the City they might
otherwise overlook. Indeed, a significant
number return a few weeks after the event to
repeat the route at a far more leisurely pace
and to enjoy the new discoveries.
The event is open to all. Teams are of one or
two persons -= so if there are more of you
enter multiple teams and see how you fare
against family, friends or colleagues. Some
companies have a number of participating
teams and there is considerable (friendly)
rivalry between them. Should you wish to
learn more about the event please download
our Newcomers’ Guide here. Details and
regulations for the next event can be found
elsewhere on the site.
We have run this event without incident for
nearly fifty years and are proud that the
Police have always considered it a well-
organised event. Our other annual event, the
Miglia Quadrato – night time motoring
equivalent) has run in the City since 1957 -
the present organisers have been running
both events since 1971/1972. We enjoy a very
good relationship with the City of London
Police and the Corporation of the City of
London who sanction the event.
