Belmont Plateau Cross Country Course
A Run in the Park
- Wayfinding
- Urban + Civic
A Historic Course Reimagined
With unmatched views of the Philadelphia skyline, Belmont Plateau, one of the most historic courses in American cross-country, has hosted countless races since the 1960s and remains beloved by locals and visitors alike. Recognizing that the course trails were long overdue for repair, the Fairmount Park Conservancy led significant landscape and trail improvements and enlisted Exit to envision a permanent system to mark the course and enhance the runner experience. Our modern, flexible system has been embraced by runners and race organizers, and we are proud to watch it guide a new generation of athletes through one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful parks.
Clear Paths, Colorful Guidance
From start to finish, the course is marked with brightly colored panels coded for the three race lengths run throughout the Plateau: 3K, 5K, and 8K. These permanent markers provide consistent direction along each route, offering clarity as runners navigate the plateau and surrounding trails.
Planning with Precision
Prior to this system, race organizers manually marked the course before each event. Through careful planning and close study of the landscape, we determined the exact locations required to guide runners through key decision points and maintain accurate distances—while ensuring all design interventions remained respectful of the natural environment.
Unifying the Landscape
As the course winds through the plateau, passing through the historic trolley trail and weaving among athletic fields, additional signage was developed to identify these fields and create a cohesive visual language across the entire site. This unified system strengthens the experience for everyday park users and competitive athletes alike.
