Yu Qingfeng, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, said that in April, during the 2026 Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, robots outperformed humans, adding that organizers expect even higher records during these games.

　　Beijing Information Science &Technology University is expected to be one of the highlights of the event, bringing the largest number of teams — 49 — which will participate in 119 categories, also the highest among all participating universities.

　　Li Lianpeng, deputy director of the university's academic affairs department, said its teams will compete in a wide range of events, including 100-meter sprints, 1,500-meter races, 5v5 soccer, freestyle gymnastics, street dance and tai chi, as well as industrial assembly and material handling, supermarket retail, hotel guest services, firefighting and rescue work, as well as dexterous tasks such as unboxing and building with blocks.

　　"These activities span virtually the entire spectrum of practical applications for humanoid robots," Li said.

　　Last year, the university's soccer team secured fourth place in the competition, and this year, it is expected to perform even better.

　　"We aim to use these games to accelerate the integration of teaching and research and even boost entrepreneurial enthusiasm among students. Our goal is not just to win but to foster greater communication and exchanges with international leaders in robot research," Li added.

　　The large-scale international events, including the marathon and the games, have sparked debate among some netizens over the potential waste of government investment.

　　Shao Yuanxin, founder of Rob-Stride Dynamics, however, argued that "these events could help the industry collect high-level data, showcase their capabilities, train more talented personnel and create job opportunities for China."