On April 19, 2025, Beijing hosted an event that seems to have come out of a science fiction film: the first half marathon in the world with the participation of humanoid robots. Twenty -one Androids, developed by Chinese companies such as Droidvp, Noetix Robotics and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, ran on lanes parallel to those of the approximately 12,000 human athletes, in an experiment that combined sports, technology and entertainment. The undisputed protagonist was Tiangong Ultra, a robot of 1.80 meters per 55 kilos, which completed the 21,0975 kilometers in 2 hours and 40 minutes. A time that, although far from the human record, represents a huge step forward compared to the previous performance of the same robot, which in January had taken eight hours to complete the same distance.
To put in perspective, the human world record on the half marathon is held by the Ugandan Jacob Kiprimo, who ran the distance in 56 minutes and 42 seconds during the Barcelona half marathon in February 2025. A time that makes Tiangong ultra more a Sunday marathon runner than an elite athlete, but considering that he had to change the battery three times during the race and he had evaded falls and overheating that many of his “colleagues” have put out, the result is still remarkable. The event was a clear show of Chinese technological power, with the aim of demonstrating progress in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence. However, there were criticism: many robots needed human assistance during the race, between falls, overheating and interventions with adhesive tape for emergency repairs. As a marathon runner with 18 marathons and countless half marathons behind them, I cannot help but smile thinking of these robots who, despite all their technology, still stumble and need a human hand to get up. But each innovation has its own first steps, and who knows, maybe one day we will run side by side with these metal athletes. For now, however, the podium remains firmly in the hands (and in the legs) of human beings. So … I am stronger … but I still know for a little.
