A photo marathon
Three frames that build one idea.
The race runs eight hours with four themes, and UPR One, its winter form, has one theme in three hours. Working photographers choose the winners, and photographers run the race, city after city.
We did not invent the photo marathon, but we have made it our own.
In a photo marathon you photograph themes that you only hear on the day, walking from checkpoint to checkpoint within a set time. At UPR that means three photographs for each theme, a series, which you deliver at the end.
There are photo marathons all over the world, each in its own way. Over the years we have shaped UPR around our racers. We are proud of what we built, and we want to keep it going for many years.
Urban Photo Race moves from city to city, a few times a year, and every race is run with a local team.
Through the day you make a series of three photographs for each theme, and the themes come at the checkpoints. The point is to see the city in a new way, find places you did not know, meet other photographers and turn every theme into photographs, with tired feet and a full card by the end.
Since 2026 there is also UPR One, the winter form: one theme, three hours and one series of three photographs.
After race day the jury reads every series, and the winners are announced on the race page and on Instagram.
Since 2011, in three numbers.
- 34Races
- 13Cities
- 2011First race
A group of photographers and friends who share one passion: turning ideas into photographs.
Want to collaborate with UPR?
Write to us about working together, and if you are writing about the race, our press kit has the logos and photographs you need.