Maps of London appear in all sorts of unexpected places and on all kinds of objects. This year’s London Marathon finishers’ medal had an expected surprise for Mapping London, there is a map of the famous course engraved on the back of it. As well as a simplified outline of the 26.2 mile route, a number of the famous landmarks appear, as well as, of course, the River Thames, which is as ever the canonical symbol of the metropolis, serving to orientate a London-based map reader. The other side of the medal has a nice pseudo-3D view, in relief, of the City and Bankside.
Receiving this unexpected London map was a bonus which was appreciated by your Mapping London running correspondent, it took away the pain a little bit as he finally crossed the finishing line, having failed to notice the many iconic London views near the end of the race…
Congratulations on completing the marathon! So do you intend trying to find out who did the medal design?