For the first time ever, Chinese humanoid robots ran a marathon against humans—guess who won

Humans vs. robots—it's the kind of showdown you'd expect in a sci-fi blockbuster or a bleak, dystopian future ruled by machines. With AI evolving at breakneck speed, many have imagined a world where machines outpace us not just in intelligence, but in every domain. On Saturday, that vision took a literal step forward in Beijing, China, where humanoid robots and humans raced side by side in the world’s first-ever humanoid half-marathon.

And if you were worried about robots outrunning humanity just yet, rest easy. The bots lost. By a mile.

More than 20 bipedal robots lined up for the 21-kilometre (13-mile) race through Beijing’s Yizhuang district, a high-tech zone that’s home to many of the city’s leading tech firms. The event featured humanoid models from Chinese universities and robotics companies, aiming to showcase China's progress in humanoid technology as it ramps up competition with the United States.

The humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing just started! pic.twitter.com/8vr2nXQwuR

— The Humanoid Hub (@TheHumanoidHub) April 19, 2025

The robots ran in a dedicated lane next to 12,000 human contestants. Despite the high-tech setting, the bots were far from being athletic champions. Many struggled to maintain balance and needed constant assistance—most had human helpers jogging beside them with arms outstretched to catch them in case they toppled. A few were tied to leashes. Others were guided remotely.

According to Beijing Daily, the course featured slight slopes and curves, making the challenge even tougher for the androids. To keep up, robots were allowed to swap batteries mid-race, and some even had replacements sent in—though each substitution came with a 10-minute penalty.
The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. That’s nearly two hours behind the human world record of 56:42, held by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, and almost 100 minutes slower than Saturday’s human winner, who crossed the line in just over 1 hour and 2 minutes.


Speaking to Reuters, Tang Jian, the Chief Technology Officer of the innovation centre, credited the robot’s performance to its "long legs" and a custom-built algorithm that mimics human running motion. “I don’t want to boast, but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” Tang said. He also noted that Tiangong Ultra only needed three battery changes during the entire race.
The 1.8-meter tall robot still faced several setbacks. Despite its performance, it required a handler to run close by, highlighting the delicate balance between automation and human support.


The event comes amid growing global interest—and anxiety—around humanoid robotics. In a 2023 policy document, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology dubbed humanoid robots a “new frontier in technological competition,” setting a target for mass production and robust supply chains by 2025. In recent months, viral videos have shown Chinese humanoid robots pulling off backflips, kicks, and even riding bikes, spectacles often promoted by state media as symbols of tech-driven national strength.

But if Saturday’s race is any indication, humans still maintain the edge—at least on foot. Runners snapped selfies and videos as they easily overtook the robotic racers, enjoying a surreal moment where sci-fi clashed with cardio.