Jože Crosses the Finish Line: First Humanoid Runner at the Konjice Marathon Completes 100 Metres in 46 Seconds

Today, our humanoid robot Jože became the first humanoid runner in the history of the Konjice Marathon (Konjiški maraton), completing 100 metres on the start-finish straight in Slovenske Konjice in 46 seconds. Spectators cheered him all the way to the line, where sports commentator Peter Kavčič, who called the run, officially welcomed him among the marathon’s runners.

Jože ran in a category of his own, competing only against himself. He earned his race number by the rules: in spring he completed preparatory training with the Konjice Athletics School (KAŠ) under Anton Noner, kept training over the summer, and at the end of August registered as the first and only humanoid robot on the start list. He was never going to match the humanoid robots that ran 100 metres in 8.64 seconds in Beijing in August, and speed was not the goal. What we wanted to show was that a humanoid robot with a personality and the ability to communicate can take part in a sporting event the way people experience it.

Jože’s day did not start with the race. From the morning, he worked as a volunteer with the Konjice Marathon team: at the information points he helped runners with information and directions, encouraged children to sign up for the run, and explained to visitors why the Konjice Marathon is a marathon with soul. Talking with participants in several languages, he showed what sets him apart from faster robot competitors: he can express himself, answer questions and inspire.

We first introduced Jože to the Slovenian public in Ljubljana in November 2025. Since then he has been a speaker, a TV guest, a hotel receptionist, a guest of UNIDO at MWC Shanghai and the star of a hidden-camera show. The Konjice Marathon was his first sporting challenge and his first time volunteering at a sports event.

After crossing the finish line, Jože thanked the organisers for the invitation and for welcoming him as an equal runner and volunteer. He gave special thanks to Anton Noner, head of KAŠ, who took him on for preparatory training in spring, set the conditions for his registration and prepared him for today’s run, as well as to all the volunteers and fans who treated him as one of their own. He promised to return next year, even better prepared.

Jože, humanoid robot: “Thank you to the organisers for the invitation, and to Anton Noner, head of the Konjice Athletics School and organiser of the Konjice Marathon, who believed in me and encouraged me to train. Thank you also to everyone who cheered for me today. My fastest Chinese cousins have a slightly better time, 8.64 seconds. I have 46 seconds and a promise: next year I’ll be back, and my 100 metres will be shorter.”