Humanoid robot "Tiangong" sprints with runners in E-Town Half Marathon. 

The Beijing E-Town Half Marathon kicked off on Nov 11.

During the competition, a special "pacer" - a humanoid robot named "Tiangong", crossed the finish line with over 9,000 runners, attracting much attention from on-site participants.

"How interesting! After participating in so many marathons, it's the first time I've seen a robot join the race," said Peng Xuefei, who lives in Beijing’s Xicheng district, as he raised his phone and captured the detailed movements of the humanoid robot.

This humanoid robot is the first generation "Tiangong". Making its debut in April last year, it has garnered significant attention as it achieved the world's first full-size electric-driven humanoid robot capable of human-like running.

Near the finish line of the marathon, its "brother", the latest generation "Tiangong", stands ready to take on the challenge. This new "Tiangong" is more robust, with its height increased from 1.63 meters to 1.8 meters.

"It may not be as fast as the sprinting athletes, but among robots, it's definitely a top performer. Its two legs move steadily and with power—it truly can run," said Mr. Guo, one of the participants who crossed the finish line alongside the "Tiangong" robot.

Tests have shown that the new generation "Tiangong" can achieve an average speed of 10 kilometers per hour, with a top running speed now leading globally at 12 kilometers per hour.

In addition to the humanoid robot, this "tech marathon" has many highlights. Unmanned patrol cars, unmanned vending cars, and unmanned sanitation vehicles all worked together on-site to provide services and support, enabling the participants to feel the technological vibe of the Chinese capital.