Beijing will host its first half marathon featuring both humans and humanoid robots participating together.

In April 2025, a unique half-marathon will take place in Beijing, featuring humanoid robots alongside approximately 12,000 human runners. The event will be held in the Daxing District, known as the "Southern Gate of Beijing."

The distance will cover 21 kilometers, and prizes will be awarded to the top three participants, regardless of whether the winner is a human or a robot.

Eligible participants include bipedal humanoid robots ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters in height, capable of moving independently without wheels. One of the requirements is that the minimum distance from the hip joint to the foot must be at least 0.45 meters. Robots can be either autonomous or remotely controlled, but battery replacements are only permitted during the race.

More than 20 companies in the robotics field have already submitted applications to participate in the event. The main goal of the marathon is to assess the level of advancement in artificial intelligence and robotic technologies.

China aims to actively integrate smart robots into industry and other sectors to address the challenges posed by an aging population and declining birth rates. Additionally, the country's authorities are looking to enhance competition with American technology companies.