China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing 2

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing 3

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. Robots also showcased smooth dance moves at a special stage next to the marathon path at the robot mall.

China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

US: C-130 Aircraft Performs Flyover to Kick Off Boston Marathon

A C-130 aircraft operated by the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard performed a flyover at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, crossing the starting line in Hopkinton at 9:55 a.m., just minutes before the first wave of runners began.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot falls upon starting a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Athletics: Nagoya Women's Marathon

Athletics: Nagoya Women's Marathon

Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui crosses the finish line in the Nagoya Women's Marathon in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on March 8, 2026, winning for the second consecutive year.

US: Gunfire Erupts at Marathon Burger Launch in Downtown Long Beach, One Killed

A deadly shooting sent crowds scrambling for safety near the grand opening of the newest Marathon Burger in downtown Long Beach on Sunday, March 1, turning a celebratory event into a scene of chaos and tragedy. Long Beach police confirmed that three men were shot and rushed to a local hospital, where one later died of his injuries. The two other victims remained in stable condition as of Sunday night.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Runners start the Tokyo Marathon en masse near the Tokyo metropolitan government building on March 1, 2026.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Runners start the Tokyo Marathon en masse near the Tokyo metropolitan government building on March 1, 2026.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Runners start the Tokyo Marathon en masse near the Tokyo metropolitan government building on March 1, 2026.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Runners start the Tokyo Marathon en masse near the Tokyo metropolitan government building on March 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Runners start the Tokyo Marathon en masse near the Tokyo metropolitan government building on March 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Brigid Kosgei of Kenya gestures as she crosses the finish line to win the women's race at the Tokyo Marathon on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele crosses the finish line to win the Tokyo Marathon for the second consecutive year on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele crosses the finish line to win the Tokyo Marathon for the second consecutive year on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele does a pre-celebration before crossing the finish line to win the Tokyo Marathon for the second consecutive year on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo.

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele poses after winning the Tokyo Marathon for the second consecutive year on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Athletics: Tokyo Marathon

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele poses after winning the Tokyo Marathon for the second consecutive year on March 1, 2026, in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Photo taken from a helicopter shows runners making their start in the Osaka Marathon on Feb. 22, 2026, in Osaka, western Japan. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Photo taken from a helicopter shows runners making their start in the Osaka Marathon on Feb. 22, 2026, in Osaka, western Japan. (Pool photo)

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Ibrahim Hassan of Djibouti crosses the finish line to win the Osaka Marathon on Feb. 22, 2026, in Osaka, western Japan.

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Marathon

Ibrahim Hassan of Djibouti crosses the finish line to win the Osaka Marathon on Feb. 22, 2026, in Osaka, western Japan.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Yuya Yoshida of Japan crosses the finish line to place second at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Asahi Kuroda of Japan crosses the finish line to place third at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Asahi Kuroda of Japan crosses the finish line to place third at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Getachew Masresha of Ethiopia crosses the finish line to win the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 49 second at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Stella Chesang of Uganda wins the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Stella Chesang of Uganda wins the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Stella Chesang of Uganda wins the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Japan's Mikuni Yada poses after placing fourth at the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026, clocking 2 hours, 19 minutes, 57 seconds, a record for a Japanese female marathon debuttant.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Japan's Mikuni Yada crosses the finish line in fourth place at the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026, clocking 2 hours, 19 minutes, 57 seconds, a record for a Japanese female marathon debuttant.

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Athletics: Osaka Women's Marathon

Japan's Mikuni Yada crosses the finish line in fourth place at the Osaka Women's Marathon at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 25, 2026, clocking 2 hours, 19 minutes, 57 seconds, a record for a Japanese female marathon debuttant.

Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

In 2025, humanoid robot sports competitions in China have gained wide attention both at home and abroad. In April, humanoid robots and human runners took to the same half-marathon course in Beijing for the first time. Wuxi hosted the first multi-sport games for embodied intelligent robots, with over 150 robot athletes competing in a variety of events. In August, Beijing held the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, featuring 280 teams from 16 countries and regions. This file photo taken on Aug. 17, 2025 shows humanoid robots running during a sprint match at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, capital of China. Photo by Ju Huanzong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

Top 10 World Sports News Events In 2025

In 2025, humanoid robot sports competitions in China have gained wide attention both at home and abroad. In April, humanoid robots and human runners took to the same half-marathon course in Beijing for the first time. Wuxi hosted the first multi-sport games for embodied intelligent robots, with over 150 robot athletes competing in a variety of events. In August, Beijing held the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, featuring 280 teams from 16 countries and regions. This file photo taken on Aug. 11, 2025 shows humanoid robots combating during a kickboxing match at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, capital of China. Photo by Ju Huanzong/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan: Deer Casually Cross Nara Marathon Course, Delighting Spectators

At the Nara Marathon held on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, unique scenes rarely seen at any other marathon around the world were captured. As thousands of runners sped through the historic streets of the ancient capital, they were quietly watched by deer that live in Nara Park. Some deer casually wandered onto the course as runners passed by, creating heartwarming moments for spectators.

Giza Pyramids Half Marathon - Egypte

Giza Pyramids Half Marathon - Egypte

Runners participate in the Pyramids Half Marathon held at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, on December 13, 2025. Around 10,000 runners competed on Saturday during the half marathon at the famed pyramids area. Photo by Ahmed Gomaa /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Giza Pyramids Half Marathon - Egypte

Giza Pyramids Half Marathon - Egypte

Runners participate in the Pyramids Half Marathon held at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, on December 13, 2025. Around 10,000 runners competed on Saturday during the half marathon at the famed pyramids area. Photo by Ahmed Gomaa /Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM