---
title: Race Bib Number Recognition Software | FilterPixel
description: "Bib number recognition software for marathons, triathlons and trail races: runners find their best race photos by bib number on their phone. Coming soon."
image: https://filterpixel.com/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg
---

[![FilterPixel](https://filterpixel.com/hubfs/Logo-filter.svg "FilterPixel")](https://filterpixel.com?hsLang=en)

[Pilot a race →](https://filterpixel.com/race-photography-software#pilot)

COMING SOONFor race directors & race photo companies

# Race bib number recognition softwareEvery finisher's best photo, *on their phone before they leave the finish area.*

FilterPixel keeps the best frame of every runner's burst. Coming soon: runners find their photos by bib number and buy them while they still have their medal on. Or a sponsor pays, and every finisher gets them free.

[Pilot a race](https://filterpixel.com/race-photography-software#pilot) [See how it works](https://filterpixel.com/race-photography-software#how)

**Burst culling runs on DeepCull today.** Bib matching, runner checkout and sponsor-paid photos are coming soon, and run alongside your photographers.

![Runners racing along a road on a foggy morning](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg?width=760)

![Triathletes starting the ocean swim](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-triathlon-swim-start.jpg?width=600)

Bib · 2417**Your race photos**14 photos · best frames first

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

Buy photos

\#Bib 2417 found14 photos matched

★Best of burst1 of 9 frames kept

Illustrative

**1**best frame kept from every runner's burst

**10,000**photos per event, culled automatically

**0**face scans at kids' races

![Runners racing along a road on a foggy morning](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg?width=320)Marathon

![Triathletes starting an ocean swim](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-triathlon-swim-start.jpg?width=320)Triathlon

![Runners on a foggy road at the start of a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg?width=320)Road race

![Runner silhouetted on a road during a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-silhouette-road.jpg?width=320)On course

![Participant crossing a muddy obstacle in a mud run](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-mud-run-obstacle.jpg?width=320)Obstacle

![Runner on a tree-lined road during a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=320)Half marathon

![Crowded road race seen from above](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-crowded-road-race-above.jpg?width=320)Mass start

![Runners racing along a road on a foggy morning](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg?width=320)Marathon

![Triathletes starting an ocean swim](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-triathlon-swim-start.jpg?width=320)Triathlon

![Runners on a foggy road at the start of a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runners-foggy-morning-road.jpg?width=320)Road race

![Runner silhouetted on a road during a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-silhouette-road.jpg?width=320)On course

![Participant crossing a muddy obstacle in a mud run](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-mud-run-obstacle.jpg?width=320)Obstacle

![Runner on a tree-lined road during a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=320)Half marathon

![Crowded road race seen from above](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-crowded-road-race-above.jpg?width=320)Mass start

Quick answer

## What is bib number recognition software?

Bib number recognition software reads the race number on each runner's bib and tags every photo to that runner, so runners search a race's photos by bib number instead of scrolling a gallery. Race photography software builds on it to deliver or sell those photos with the race's and sponsors' branding. FilterPixel adds the step most tools skip: keeping only the best frame of every runner's burst, so runners see their best photos first.

1. **Select**Keep the best frame of every runner's burst.
2. **Match**Link photos to a bib number, not a face.
3. **Deliver**Sell on the runner's phone, or let a sponsor pay.

![Crowded road race seen from above](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-crowded-road-race-above.jpg?width=900)

The lost moment

## Runners post on race day. *The photos arrive after.*

1. 07:00
   
   Start gun. Photographers on the course shoot a burst of every runner who passes.
2. 11:30
   
   The finish area. Medals on, phones out, ready to share.
3. After race day
   
   The gallery email lands. The posts have already gone up without your photos or your sponsors.
4. With FilterPixel
   
   Their best frames, found by bib number, on their phone before they leave.

How it works

## How race photos *reach runners before they leave.*

![Runner silhouetted on a road during a race](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-silhouette-road.jpg?width=560)

01 · SHOOT

### Your photographers shoot.

On the course, at the finish line and in the medal area, with the cameras they use today.

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)Best of burst

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=240)

02 · SELECT

### Best frame of every runner.

Blur, closed eyes and near-duplicates dropped, with one consistent edit. Live today.

Riverside Half**2417**14 photos matched*Illustrative*

03 · MATCH

### Matched by bib number.

Adults can opt into selfie matching. Kids' races use bib numbers only. Coming soon.

Bib · 2417**Your race photos**14 photos

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

![](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-runner-tree-lined-road.jpg?width=300)

Buy photos

04 · DELIVER

### On the runner's phone.

Runners buy before they leave, or a sponsor pays and they download free. Coming soon.

Why FilterPixel

## Tagging finds every photo. *FilterPixel finds the best one.*

![Crowded road race seen from above](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-crowded-road-race-above.jpg?width=900)

Live today

### Built for bursts of thousands of runners

DeepCull's sports model scores every frame, keeps the best of each burst and drops blur, closed eyes and near-duplicates, up to 10,000 photos per event.

![Triathletes starting an ocean swim](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-triathlon-swim-start.jpg?width=620)

Coming soon

### Sponsor-paid photos, free for every finisher

![Participant crossing a muddy obstacle in a mud run](https://filterpixel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/b2b/races/rc-mud-run-obstacle.jpg?width=620)

Coming soon

### Bib numbers first. Faces only with consent.

Privacy

### Can race photos use facial recognition?

Only with notice and consent. The [GDPR](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-9-gdpr/) treats biometric data used to identify a person as special-category data, usually needing explicit consent, and [Texas' biometric identifier law](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._bus._and_com._code_section_503.001) requires notice and consent before a record of face geometry is captured for a commercial purpose. That's why FilterPixel matches by bib number by default, offers selfie matching only to adults who opt in, and uses bib numbers alone at kids' races. Check with your own counsel for each event.

Compare

## Where FilterPixel fits in *race photo tagging software.*

| Job | Full-service race photo companies | Bib tagging and sharing platforms | Face-matching photo apps | FilterPixel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Best frame of each runner | Varies | Not the focus | Not the focus | Picked automatically · live today |
| Find photos by bib number | Common | Core | Some add number recognition | Bib number by default · coming soon |
| Face matching | Some, with consent | Varies, some use none | Core | Opt-in adults only · never at kids' races |
| Photographers on the course | Supplied by them | Bring your own | Bring your own | Bring your own or your photo company |
| Sponsor-branded free photos | Offered by some | Sponsor watermarks on some | Varies | Sponsor-paid packages · coming soon |
| When runners see photos | Varies by provider | Once uploaded and tagged | Once uploaded | In the finish area · coming soon |

Full-service race photo companies include MarathonFoto, FinisherPix and Sportograf. Bib tagging and sharing platforms include RunSignup, Race Roster, Pic2Go, FlashFrame and 9Pic BibTrack. Face-matching photo apps include Waldo. Features vary by vendor and plan, so check each vendor's current documentation.

Who it's for

## For races where every finisher *wants the photo today.*

01

### Marathons and half marathons

Thousands of runners through one finish line, all reaching for their phones.

02

### Triathlons

Wetsuits, goggles and helmets hide faces, so numbers do the matching.

03

### Trail and obstacle races

Mud, forest light and remote photo points, where bursts need sorting most.

04

### Race photo companies

Your photographers and contracts. FilterPixel sorts the frames and speeds up delivery.

### What a race pilot includes

- **Burst culling**Best frame of every runner. Live today.
- **One consistent edit**The same look across every photographer. Live today.
- **Bib-number matching**Runners search by the number on their bib.
- **Opt-in selfie matching**Adults only, consent first. Never at kids' races.
- **Runner store**Watermarked previews and checkout on the phone.
- **Sponsor-paid packages**A sponsor pays and finishers download free.
- **Race and sponsor branding**Logos and frames on every photo.
- **Race report**Photos delivered, shares and sponsor impressions.

Photographing junior leagues? See [youth sports photography software](https://filterpixel.com/youth-sports-photography-software?hsLang=en), or read the [sports photo culling guide](https://filterpixel.com/blog/sports-photo-culling-complete-guide?hsLang=en).

Pilot

## Pilot FilterPixel *at one race.*

We run alongside your photographers at one event and report what changed.

- Finishers who found their photos by bib number
- Photos bought, or downloaded under a sponsor package
- Shares and sponsor logo impressions

Works with your photographersBib numbers by defaultNo app for runnersTerms agreed in writing

### Pilot a race

Tell us about your race or race photo company.

Full name

Please add your name.

Race or company

Please add your race or company.

Work email

Please enter a valid work email.

Phone *(optional)*

Add your country code, e.g. +1 415 555 0134.

Leave empty

Request a pilot

By submitting, you agree to our [Privacy Policy](https://filterpixel.com/privacy?hsLang=en). Prefer to talk? [Book a call with us](https://calendly.com/filterpixel).

FAQ

## Bib number recognition and race photography FAQ

What is bib number recognition software?

Software that reads the numbers on runners' bibs in race photos and tags each photo to that bib, so runners can find their photos by number. FilterPixel pairs it with burst culling, so each runner sees their best frames first. Bib matching is coming soon; burst culling is live today.

What is the best race photography software for race directors?

It depends on the job. Full-service race photo companies supply photographers, bib tagging platforms match photos to runners, and FilterPixel keeps the best frame of each runner and gets it to their phone. Many races combine more than one.

How do runners find their race photos by bib number?

Bib matching is coming soon. Runners enter their bib number or scan a QR code at the finish, then see the photos matched to that bib in their phone's browser. There is no app to install.

How accurate is bib number recognition when a bib is hidden or folded?

Recognition needs a readable number, and jackets, race belts and folded bibs can hide it. Adults can opt into selfie matching to find the rest. At kids' races there is no face matching, so unmatched photos stay in the event gallery.

Is facial recognition legal for race photos?

It can be, with the right notice and consent. The GDPR treats biometric data used to identify people as special-category data, and Texas' biometric identifier law requires notice and consent before face geometry is captured for a commercial purpose. That's why bib matching is the default and selfie matching is opt-in for adults only.

Can a sponsor pay so every finisher gets free photos?

That is coming soon as a sponsor package. A sponsor covers the photos, every finisher downloads theirs free, and the sponsor's logo or frame appears on each photo. Terms are agreed in writing before the race.

Does FilterPixel replace our race photographers?

No. Your photographers or race photo company keep shooting. FilterPixel sorts the frames, keeps the best of each runner and, once bib matching arrives, handles matching and delivery.

How does burst culling work for race photos?

The sports model in [DeepCull](https://filterpixel.com/deepcull?hsLang=en) gives every frame six scores, each with a reason, and keeps the best frame of every burst. Blur, closed eyes and near-duplicates are dropped, for up to 10,000 photos per event. This part is live today.

Can runners buy photos before they leave the finish area?

That is coming soon. Photographers upload as they shoot, frames are culled and matched to bibs, and runners see watermarked previews on their phone while they are still at the race.

Does it work for triathlons, trail and obstacle races?

Yes. Where wetsuits, helmets or mud hide faces, bib numbers do the matching, and burst culling handles the difficult light of forest and early-morning courses.

Does it connect to our timing or registration platform?

Not yet. Integrations with timing and registration platforms are not built. For a first event, a participant list with bib numbers is enough.

Can our race and sponsor logos go on every photo?

Yes. Logos, sponsor frames and watermarks can be added to every photo, as FilterPixel already does for [live event photo delivery](https://filterpixel.com/live-event-photo-delivery?hsLang=en) at conferences.

How is it priced?

Pilot terms are agreed in writing before the race, whether runners buy their photos or a sponsor pays for them.

Updated 16 September 2026

![FilterPixel](https://filterpixel.com/hubfs/Logo-filter.svg "FilterPixel")

Privacy Terms Support Blog

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