First Robot to run 5k
Don’t worry you can still beat this robot over 5k. It finished 5K in just over 53 minutes which probably counts as a walk but it’s an impressive engineering feat nevertheless.
Cassie the robot was invented at Oregon State University and later manufactured by a spinout company called Agility Robotics. Rather than Skynet, it was the US Department of Defense who funded the project with a $1million grant to cover the 4 years of development to get to this point.
This is the first time that a bipedal robot using machine learning to control its running gait has completed 5k on a single battery charge.
I’m not sure if its gait is more like a chicken than a human but the Youtube video is worth a quick watch if you have a minute to waste.
https://youtu.be/a_YGPbWJO5g
Last Updated on 25 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
