Human champions and AI robot compete in first ever face-to-face race

On October 20, 2026, Sebastian Savé, Kenya’s marathon legend and global running ambassador for Honor, joined Zhao Jiaju, China’s top ultramarathon athlete, and Honor’s self-developed humanoid robot 'Lightning' in their first-ever face-to-face race. Savé, the first human to complete a marathon in under two hours, and Zhao, who won the 2026 Italy Giant Journey 330 km race, showcased their achievements alongside 'Lightning', which previously set a new world record for human-powered robots in a half marathon. 'Lightning' achieved a time of 50 minutes and 26 seconds at the 2026 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, beating human records and demonstrating advanced endurance and control. Savé, who once praised 'Lightning' for its rapid progress, expressed hope to race against it in person. This event marks a milestone in human-AI collaboration, highlighting the convergence of athletic excellence and technological innovation.