Beijing: In a groundbreaking blend of athleticism and artificial intelligence, 21 humanoid robots ran alongside thousands of human participants in Beijing’s Yizhuang Half-Marathon, marking the first time machines have competed in a full 21-kilometre (13-mile) race with humans.
The event was a symbolic leap in integrating robotics into everyday life and public engagement. The robots, manufactured by leading Chinese tech firms, including DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, showcased a variety of forms and features.
Some stood under 120 cm, while others towered at 1.8 meters. Among the standout designs was a humanoid robot with distinctly feminine features capable of winking and smiling.
Several robots were dressed for the occasion. One wore actual running shoes, another sported boxing gloves, and a third donned a bright red headband emblazoned with the Chinese words for “Bound to Win.”
Of the 22 robots that took part in the marathon, Tiangong was the first to cross the finish line, completing the course in 2:40:42.
Few of these bots were built to run but that’s the point.
The marathon is designed to push limits: gait, endurance, and real-world autonomy.
Top… pic.twitter.com/1xoDHPlocW
— Sixth Tone (@SixthTone) April 19, 2025
Despite their unusual gear, the machines were accompanied by human trainers, some of whom provided physical support throughout the race.
The robot Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, crossed the finish line first among the machines, clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes- over an hour behind the men’s human winner, who finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Tiangong Ultra’s performance was credited to a sophisticated running algorithm and long-legged design that mimicked human motion with remarkable efficiency.
While some machines powered through the course, others faltered early. Although humanoid robots have made isolated appearances at marathons in China before, this is the first time they’ve formally raced alongside human participants, adding spectacle and technical intrigue to the event.
