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.