The robots have officially entered the race, literally.

Fez – Beijing’s Yizhuang Half-Marathon just made history in what looked more like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie (but with less CGI and more sneakers). 

On Saturday, April 20, 21 humanoid robots laced up and joined thousands of human runners on the 21-kilometer route. 

Machines and people ran side-by-side in a real marathon event for the first time ever, and yes, it was as wonderfully bizarre as it sounds.

According to Reuters, the robots came in all shapes and sizes, from under 1.2 meters tall to a full 1.8 meters. Some were designed to look like actual humans, one even boasted a feminine face, capable of winking and smiling.

The robot squad wasn’t there just for show. They’d spent weeks in rigorous training, supported by full-on engineering and navigation teams. 

Beijing officials even likened the event to a Formula 1 race, only with more awkward running and fewer crashes (well, mostly).

These robots were developed by companies like DroidUP and Noetix Robotics, with trainers literally running behind them, sometimes holding them up when their circuits had a little too much excitement. 

One robot sported boxing gloves, another wore a headband with the phrase “Committed to Win” in Chinese. Honestly? Iconic.

After 2 hours and 40 minutes of this robo-race, the star of the show was “Tiangong Ultra,” a humanoid marvel from the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. 

Read also: Protoclone: The Creepy-Cool Future of Muscle Robots Is Here 

Tiangong was powered by long legs, a smart running algorithm, and just three battery swaps, because even robots need pit stops. 

Meanwhile, the human winner clocked in at 1 hour and 2 minutes. Not bad for someone who doesn’t run on lithium.

Beijing’s robot center is partially owned by government-backed firms, but also includes heavyweights like Xiaomi and UBTECH. 

Their CTO, Tang Jian, didn’t hold back. “I don’t want to brag, but Western robot companies haven’t done this.” Consider the mic dropped.

Of course, not all robots crushed it. One collapsed at the starting line and just… lay there for a bit like a robotic damsel in distress. 

Another sprinted straight into a wall, taking its trainer down with it. Still, after a few hiccups and some dramatic recoveries, most of them managed to finish the course.

While some analysts question whether marathon running is really a benchmark of industrial potential, China’s bet is clearly to make humanoid robots a part of the country’s economic future. 

That said, experts like Oregon State’s Alan Fern think these flashy demos are more entertaining than practical.

Still, if the future of robotics includes headbands, sneakers, and sass, we’re here for it.