Charles Esther
In an unprecedented event that blurred the line between technology and athletics, Beijing hosted its first-ever humanoid robot half-marathon alongside a human race on Saturday.
The 2025 Beijing E-Town Half Marathon brought together more than 12,000 human runners and 21 humanoid robots in what officials hailed as a global first.
The robots competed in a separate lane but covered the same 13.1-mile distance as their human counterparts.
Robots on the Run
These weren’t your average machines.
Among the runners was the N2 robot by Noetix Robotics — a 3-foot-tall, 40-pound marvel of engineering.
Unitree Robotics entered its more imposing G1 model, standing over 4 feet tall and weighing nearly 80 pounds.
Another robot even featured a woman’s face, adding a futuristic flair to the event.
All robots were accompanied by engineers or handlers throughout the race.
From Stumbles to Triumphs
Despite weeks of training, including “late-night endurance drills,” not every robot managed to shine on race day.
One robot fell over right at the starting line.
Another lost control and crashed into a railing, dragging its handler to the ground.
Huanhuan, a crowd favorite, went off-course multiple times and eventually sat down, refusing to continue.
A Humanoid Hero Emerges
But there was one clear standout.
Tien Kung Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, completed the course in just 2 hours and 40 minutes — a major milestone for humanoid mobility.
It became the first humanoid robot in history to finish a half-marathon within the allowed time limit.
Not Just a Gimmick
Organizers say the event is about much more than novelty.
According to Li Quan, deputy head of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, the half-marathon was designed to “spark discussions and deepen the public’s understanding of robot capabilities.”
Robots were also eligible for awards in three categories: race completion, endurance, and popularity.
AI and Robotics: The Road Ahead
With advancements in artificial intelligence fueling rapid progress, humanoid robots are increasingly being tested in real-world settings.
Companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are experimenting with robots on factory lines.
China, in particular, is seen as leading in this race.
During the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, 16 AI-powered robots danced alongside human performers in a nationally televised spectacle.
Elon Musk’s Prediction and the Future of Humanity and Robotics
Elon Musk has previously predicted that humanoid robots could outnumber
humans by 2040.
While that remains speculative, events like the Beijing half-marathon show just how quickly the future is arriving.
The question isn’t just whether robots can run — but how far they’ll go.
