It didn’t have to carbo-load, get a good night’s rest or lace up running shoes.

In the race to build robots that are faster and smarter, big strides are being made in China where a half-marathon pitted more than 100 humanoid robots beside 12,000 real-life runners.

The robot reportedly completed the 21-km race faster than world record holder Jacob Kiplimo, underscoring how machines are beginning to rival - and even surpass - human capabilities.