London, a city of innovation: Five landmarks to look out for while running

Diverse, creative and global

London has long been a leading centre of innovation, with world-class universities and research institutions, cutting-edge financial markets and a plethora of tech companies.

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, the city boasts a long and varied history, having been founded by the Romans in AD 43.

?And it’s in this history that we find multiple innovations, including London-born Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web and the very first cash machine.

?They can be seen across the city, pepper the marathon route – and even lie under your feet as you run.

?The world’s first underground railway opened in London in 1863, and remains the root of the capital’s transport network, while the hundreds of miles that make up the London sewer system were the first of their kind, and are still in operation today.

?Part of the joy of taking part in the TCS London Marathon is immersing yourself in the history, innovation, creativity and diversity the city has to offer. The route takes you past many landmarks, along roads where history makers have trodden, past renowned buildings and over famous bridges.

?Here are just five extraordinary landmarks of innovation that you’ll pass on your way:

1. The Cutty Sark

One of the fastest and most efficient ships of its time, the Cutty Sark lies around mile six of the marathon.

You might remember images of the ship ablaze that swept around the world in 2007.

?During the restoration process, innovation saved the day, with cutting-edge technology used to install a glass roof at the waterline and protect everything beneath.

?Around 90% of what you see as you go past is the original ship that first sailed in the 1870s, with the restored version opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

2. Tower Bridge

At the time of its completion in 1894, Tower Bridge was the largest and most innovative bridge the world had ever seen. Having taken 5 contractors and 432 workers 8 years of labouring every day to build, this combined bascule and suspension bridge remains one of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The bridge still plays a major role helping residents and visitors move about the city, with tens of thousands of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists using it every day.

?As a participant of the TCS London Marathon, it will be the 20-kilometre marker on your route, and crossing is sure to be one of the highlights of the race.

3. London Embankments

The Thames Embankments are a feature of the course that are close to the hearts of many Londoners. They provide a picturesque, shaded walkway that makes for a great Sunday afternoon stroll.

?But did you know they were originally built to house vast sections of world-leading sanitation technology? While you won’t see London’s sewer system as you progress around the course you might give a thought to the huge feat of engineering beneath you.

?Thousands of kilometres of these brick tunnels, built to serve the homes and businesses of the capital, are still in use today despite having been masterminded by Joseph Bazalgette as far back as the 1870s.

4. Big Ben

One of the most iconic and recognisable landmarks in the world, the enormous clock tower that houses the bell, Big Ben, marks the final mile of the marathon course.

When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock ever made.

While the technology behind timekeeping has advanced to include step, calorie and heart-rate tracking, many marathon participants still look up to this historic landmark to check their run-time.

This famous sight will symbolise the end of your personal quest to complete the gruelling 26.2 miles of the marathon and motivate you to power through the final leg of the course and across the finish line.

5. Buckingham Palace

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II last year prompted reflection on how much innovation, scientific and technological progress took place during her 96-year lifetime.

And, as you head towards the finish line, think about how most of the progress we chart in the marathon today came about during her reign.

?Her Majesty’s coronation in June 1953 was the first in Britain to be broadcast, almost in its entirety, on television and her long reign saw methods of communication evolve dramatically: from telegrams and landline telephones, through the advent of the Internet, the smartphone and social media.

?Just as those famous London landmarks form an integral part of the city’s fabric, the monarchy is also synonymous with London, both for tourists and marathon participants as they reach the final stretch on the Mall.

?So there you have it. Few things can beat the buzz of running the TCS London Marathon, taking in the atmosphere, the historic sights and the innovation throughout the city.

?London has long been a melting-pot of different cultures, experiences and ideas and this can clearly be seen on marathon day, as people from all over the world come together to achieve the same goal: crossing that world-famous finish-line.