The event aimed to evaluate the capabilities of bipedal robots under real-world conditions . While human runners stayed on one side of the road, many took out their mobile phones to film the robots pacing towards the finish line. Some robots ran autonomously, while others were operated remotely by engineers.

According to engineers who spoke with AFP, the primary objective was not to compete for speed but to assess the robots' performance, stability, and reliability.

“The main purpose of doing this is to prepare for the industrialisation in the future or the near future, because when we land in factories, businesses or life scenes, we expect this robot to work continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and without failure… Our marathon is actually an extreme test of reliability and stability. Next time, I think you will see it more perfect,” one engineer told AFP.

The event featured around 20 teams from across China. Participating robots ranged in height from 75 to 180 centimetres (2.46 to 5.9 feet) and weighed up to 88 kilograms (194 pounds).

A new partnership between SHONA Capital and Cornerstone Asset Managers is poised to inject significant funding into Uganda’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly within the agriculture and healthcare sectors. This $500,000 investment seeks to provide essential capital, thereby mitigating the reliance on foreign currency financing which has contributed to a staggering $4.7 billion financing shortfall for Ugandan SMEs. SHONA Capital is committed to providing not only financial resources but also managerial guidance, while Cornerstone Asset Managers will draw on their extensive wealth management expertise to support the initiative.

TCS World 10K Marathon

Prominent Ugandan and Kenyan runners are set to make their mark in the upcoming TCS World 10K Marathon scheduled for April 27 in Bengaluru. Ugandan Olympian Joshua Cheptegei will return to this prestigious event after almost ten years, where he will face tough competition, including local compatriot Stephen Kissa and a strong Kenyan contender in Vincent Langat, who has shown impressive recent form. The women's event will also witness fierce competition from Eritrea’s Rahel Daniel, Ethiopia ’s Asmarech Anley, and Uganda's Sarah Chelangat, all of whom have demonstrated remarkable performances at recent major competitions.

Christianity and Morality

Ugandan Catholic bishops have released a pastoral letter of significant concern regarding the declining moral and spiritual values within the nation. Titled “The Truth will set you free,” the document discusses grave issues such as escalating homicide rates, pervasive corruption, and human rights violations. The bishops emphasise the urgent need for actions to combat what they describe as a moral and spiritual crisis, exacerbated by growing poverty, youth unemployment, and rampant alcohol abuse. The letter further condemns abortion and corruption, advocating for enhanced protection for anti-corruption activists and ensuring the independence of anti-graft agencies.

Railway extension project

In regional infrastructure developments, Kenya has secured an impressive $5.3 billion in funding from a consortium of Chinese companies aimed at reviving a stalled railway extension project to Uganda. According to the agreement, the consortium will contribute 40% of the funding and will manage the 475-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway line from Naivasha to Malaba, collecting toll fees to recover their investment. Additionally, the Export-Import Bank of China will finance 30% of the project with loans, featuring a grace period that extends until 2029. The remaining costs will be covered by Kenya through a railway development levy. Republic of Congo, signalling an important step in regional connectivity.

FIFA U-17 World Cup

In the sphere of youth football, Uganda, Gambia, Angola, and Egypt are fervently battling it out for places in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar in 2025. The decisive matches at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will unfold on Saturday at El Abdi Stadium. Uganda's under-17 team is strategically positioned to face Gambia at 17:00 GMT, with aspirations of achieving their first World Cup qualification while facing a well-versed Gambia squad. Meanwhile, Angola will challenge Egypt at 20:00 GMT, with Angola seeking a defining victory, while Egypt aims for a return to the World Cup arena for the first time since 1997.

On Tuesday, February 18, the Commonwealth urged Uganda—a member of the 56-nation group—to free opposition leader Kizza Besigye, arguing that his detention undermines democratic principles and human rights. The Strait Times reports that President Yoweri Museveni, however, dismissed concerns over Besigye's health, accusing his hunger strike of being a blackmail tactic aimed at garnering sympathy to secure bail. As a long-standing critic of Museveni, Besigye’s military court prosecution and nearly three-month incarceration on charges including illegal firearms possession have fuelled public outrage against the government.

Uganda looks to convert 100MW of HFO capacity into gas-to-power plants

The government is set to launch a feasibility study to explore converting 100 MW of liquid-fuelled thermal plant capacity to gas-to-power, with LNG feedstock being one of the options under consideration. Additionally, it is promoting efforts to produce domestic LPG as a strategy to reduce deforestation and mitigate the health impacts associated with biomass use, according to African Energy's Kampala correspondent.

Ugandan president praises Kiplimo's world record half marathon

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, congratulated Jacob Kiplimo for breaking the world half marathon record with a time of 56 minutes and 42 seconds at the eDreams Mitja Marato Barcelona, shaving 48 seconds off the previous record. Museveni posted on X, praising the 24-year-old, two-time cross-country world champion, who also used the race as preparation for his debut at the 2025 London Marathon, The Peninsula reported.

Uganda offers to move opposition leader to a civilian court

Uganda will shift opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s case from a military tribunal to a civilian court to comply with a Supreme Court ruling, with the move fast-tracked by Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi. Charged with treason, Besigye—who has been on a hunger strike since February 10—recently appeared frail in court, sparking a public outcry. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has expressed suspicion about the pledge and concern for his health, Africa.com reports.

Minnesotan philanthropist dies from malaria in Uganda

Minnesota woman Khristina Lund died from malaria after spending three weeks in Uganda helping disadvantaged children through her charity, Adored International Ministries. Lund, from Loretto, mistook her symptoms for jet lag until she was hospitalised on Feb. 10 and passed away three days later. Her best friend, Kelly Froehle, expressed deep shock at the loss and hopes to continue Lund’s legacy, as reported by CBS .

This time is 88 seconds faster than the previous world record of 57:30, set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia last year, World Athletics reports.

Kiplimo, 24, had already held the half-marathon world record twice before, first in 2021 and again in 2024. His latest victory puts him ahead of Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor and Samuel Mailu, who finished the Barcelona race in 58:44 and 59:40, respectively.

Kiplimo has a history of success in distance running.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he won gold medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m races, defeating top Kenyan athletes. That same year, he also won bronze in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

After his record-breaking run in Barcelona, Kiplimo said he had not expected to break the world record but focused on maintaining his pace once he realized he was on track for it.

He started the race strong and kept pushing, knowing he had a chance to make history.

Kiplimo has been a rising star in long-distance running for years. He made his mark at the 2016 World U20 Championships and won gold at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia. With this latest achievement, he has further cemented his place among the world’s best distance runners.

What is the half-marathon world record?

The half-marathon world record is the fastest time ever recorded for running a half-marathon race. A half-marathon is a long-distance race that is 21.1 kilometers (13.1 miles) long. The record is set when a runner completes the race in the shortest time ever officially recorded. It is recognised by World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field events.

Athletes train for years to try and break this record. The fastest runners in the world compete in major races, hoping to run faster than anyone before them.

Kiplimo, who is the reigning world cross-country champion, demonstrated his dominance early in the race, establishing a two-minute lead by the 10km mark, as reported by World Athletics .

His victory came amid strong competition, including his half-brother Victor Kiplangat, who finished second with a time of 43:19, and Marc Scott from the UK, who rounded out the podium in 43:21.

Kiplimo’s remarkable achievement at this event adds to an already impressive resume. Earlier this year, he won the NN Zevenheuvelenloop with a time of 41:05, equalling the previous course record.

He also crossed the 15 km mark during the 2021 Lisbon half marathon in 40:27 as part of a record-setting half marathon time of 57:32. This recent performance decisively marks him as the fastest in a standalone 15km race.

In the women’s race, Ethiopian athlete Mizan Alem made a strong debut by winning with a time of 46:51. Alem initially trailed behind the Netherlands’ Diane van Es, who led by nine seconds at the 2Km mark.

However, Alem's tactical approach allowed her to catch up and ultimately finish a full minute ahead of van Es, who clocked 47:52 for second place.

Enyish Mengie, also from Ethiopia, secured third with a time of 49:21. Alem’s winning time ranks among the fastest in the history of the event, with only predecessors like Letesenbet Gidey and Tirunesh Dibaba holding quicker times at the Zevenheuvelenloop.

Kejelcha, already known for his indoor mile world record set in Boston in 2019, expressed his satisfaction with the victory, stating, “This race wasn't easy. Today I told myself to do it in 57 minutes, and I saw from the clock on the lead car that it was possible, despite the rain. I wanted to break the world record and I'm really happy I did it.”

The 27-year-old Ethiopian also detailed the difficulties he faced during the race. "At 15km, I was confident and I thought I could get the record. But by 18km and 19km, I started to get nervous because the pace changed, so it was a big challenge. The rain and tight turns also made it difficult," he said. Kejelcha added, "The half-marathon world record was my dream and I beat it. I'm very happy."

Kenyans Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi finished in second and third, clocking 58 minutes 17 seconds and 58 minutes 21 seconds, respectively. Mateiko's time marked a personal best, while Lasoi completed his fifth half-marathon of the season.

The two-time world indoor 3000-metre champion competed in the 10,000-metre final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished sixth.

His run in Valencia marked his sixth appearance over the distance.

Assefa had established the earlier record at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds.

Chepngetich expressed her joy after the race, saying , "I feel so great, I'm proud of myself. This is my dream that has come true… I've fought a lot thinking about the world record, and I have fulfilled it."

Following her record-breaking run, Kenyan President William Ruto took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Chepngetich. He praised the athlete, stating, “I salute Ms Chepngetich for breaking the world record and becoming the first woman in history to break the 2:10:00 barrier.”

Chepngetich’s achievement comes amid a backdrop of scrutiny in Kenyan athletics, following a doping scandal involving 138 Kenyan athletes across various sports between 2004 and August 2018.

When asked if her record might be questioned due to its speed, she responded , “You know people must talk, so I don’t know."

Chepngetich now holds the distinction of being the first woman to run a marathon in under two hours and ten minutes, a feat that will go down as one of the greatest moments in women's marathon history.

In a thrilling final race of the evening, the multiple world and Olympic champion faced strong competition from Australia's Jess Hull, who finished second with a time of 3:50.83. Hull's performance not only earned her a second-place finish but also broke her own Oceanian record, placing her fifth on the world all-time list.

"I knew the world record was possible because I recently ran very fast in Kenya," said Kipyegon, who clocked 3:53.98 at Kenya’s Olympic Trials. "I was coming here to just run my race and to see what shape I’m in to defend my title at the Olympics."

At 30 years old, Kipyegon is expected to bring her exceptional form to the Paris 2024 Olympics later this month, where she is a favourite to win multiple medals.

In 2023, Kipyegon was honoured as one of the World Athletes of the Year after setting world records in three distances during the season, including the 1500m, 5000m, and 1500m.

Philippa is an architect working in Margaretting, Essex. She said her motivation for participating was to train herself and she also raised money for a children's charity in the process. Though her fellow runners dropped out due to scorching temperatures and concerns about running across the desert alone, Philippa admitted to feeling anxious but continued.

The Jordan Ultra Challenge, held at the end of April, required competitors to run two marathons in two days. The event organisers confirmed to the BBC that Philippa Morris was the first female to accomplish this challenging feat.

"My experience from day one to day two was very different. I initially embraced the atmosphere a lot and there were more of us running, so you were engaging with people, and I really enjoyed it,” Philippa said .

"A lot of people had got heat stroke or were too anxious about running alone in the desert. The next day I carried a lot of other people's fears and became anxious. It went from complete isolation to people everywhere congratulating me," she added.

Philippa completed the first marathon in six hours and 52 minutes, improving her time by 24 minutes on the second day. Her fundraising efforts have exceeded £2,800 for the Ordinary 2 Extraordinary charity.

"it's definitely worth it. So that is worth it, putting yourself to this. You have to know your limits and practice multiple times before you actually go and attempt it," said Savagya. He, however, cautioned that "there's a fine line like you shouldn't cross that line where it is affecting you."

The Guinness World Record franchise has seen numerous records shattered by individuals vying to etch their names in history books. In Africa, a surge of various marathons—ranging from cooking, singing, and long speeches to talk shows and tree-hugging—are witnessing participants staying awake for over 130 hours to claim world titles.

The most recent marathon to have grabbed the headlines was by Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya , who surpassed the existing 56-hour chess record by clocking in 60 hours. Although Onakoya did not disclose any health implications after completing his attempt, his fellow Nigerian, Kehinde Odesola , an artist who in his attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest painting marathon in an interview with GSW in February spoke of hallucinating after over 100 hours into his attempt.

Despite the taxing effort involved in these endeavours, Sarvagya celebrates them for the opportunities they present to individuals who achieve world record titles.

"The benefits are that it's good. You could tell people about yourself and they're generally curious about hearing your story and it helps you, like, gives you that edge over other people. It also opens doors to a lot of new opportunities. Personally, it has opened doors for public speaking opportunities. So now I've given that talk, I've given two TEDx talks as well and I really do public speaking. So that's, and if you can get collaborations and stuff. So those are the doors it opens and then it helps you create an identity for yourself," he added.

In 2020, Sarvagya Kulshreshtha secured his first Guinness World Record title by solving a Rubik's Cube in just 15.75 seconds, surpassing the existing record of 20 seconds at the time. He went on to achieve his second and third titles in 2022, for Rubik's Cubes and Pyraminx, respectively.

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Hellen's victory came as no surprise due to the positive notion about Kenyans on the track, however, it is worth celebrating. Obiri completed the race in 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds, securing her second back-to-back victory in the capital of Massachusetts following her debut marathon triumph in the same city in 2023. Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya, finished second, just eight seconds behind Obiri.

Isn't there a compelling reason why Kenyans are renowned as the premier long-distance runners? Numerous individuals contribute to this accolade bestowed upon the nation. Let's delve further into the notable figures who have elevated the Kenyan flag in marathons.

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein is a celebrated figure in long-distance running, renowned for his remarkable achievements in marathons. He is recognised for being a three-time winner of the Boston Marathon , with victories in 1988, 1991, and 1992. His 1988 win was particularly historic as it marked the first time a Kenyan and indeed an African, won the Boston Marathon, setting a precedent for future generations of Kenyan runners. He was also the first Kenyan to win the New York City Marathon in 1987, showcasing his versatility and dominance in the sport.

Samuel Wanjiru

Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was a Kenyan long-distance runner who left an indelible mark on athletics. Wanjiru made history by becoming the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold medal in a marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, setting an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. This victory also made him the youngest gold medalist in the marathon since 1932. He had previously set records like the world junior record in the 10,000 meters in 2005 and broke the half marathon world record thrice. He tragically fell from the balcony of his home in 2011.

Catherine Ndereba

Catherine Ndereba, also known as "Catherine the Great," is a retired Kenyan marathon runner who has significantly impacted the sport. Ndereba has been a formidable force in marathon running, with a career that includes numerous victories and records. She won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics twice. She also earned silver medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, becoming Kenya's first female multi-medalist. Additionally, she is a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon.

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong

Jemima Jelagat Sumgong won the marathon at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, becoming the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic marathon. She has won the London, Rotterdam, and Las Vegas Marathons . Sumgong also finished as the runner-up at the Boston, Chicago, and New York City Marathon in her active days. Sumgong's career faced a setback due to a doping case. She is currently serving an eight-year ban from athletic competitions, which will last until 2027, after testing positive for the banned substance EPO.

Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum was a Kenyan long-distance runner who impacted the marathon world with record-breaking performances. He held the marathon world record with 2:00:35, set at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. Kiptum won all three marathons he participated in, including two World Marathon Majors. He made a stunning debut at the Valencia Marathon in 2022, running the then fourth-fastest time ever At the London Marathon in April 2023, he ran the second-fastest marathon in history at that time. Tragically, Kelvin Kiptum's life was cut short at the age of 24 in a road accident on February 11, 2024

Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir

Kenyan Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir are two of Kenya's most distinguished marathon runners, each with remarkable achievements. Eliud Kipchoge was the Olympic marathon champion in 2016 and 2020. He also held the world record in the marathon from 2018 to 2023 with a 2:01:09 set at the Berlin Marathon in 2022, while Peres Jepchirchir was the gold medalist in the women's marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was also the champion at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2016 and 2020 and the winner of the New York City Marathon in 2021 and the Boston Marathon in 2022.

His goal is to raise $1 million to expand access to education for millions of disadvantaged children throughout the continent. Onakoya aims to achieve this by engaging in a gruelling chess marathon, facing off against multiple opponents over 58 consecutive hours, all within the iconic New York Times Square.

The Chess in Slums convener aims to surpass the current record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Norway's Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingtad in 2018.

Taking to Instagram, Onakoya expressed the daunting nature of the challenge, stating, "This is by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but one thing I know for sure is I will not be alone through it all. Need everyone’s support now more than ever to raise awareness and support for the incredible work we do at chess in slums and the gift of chess."

This competition follows Onakoya's remarkable performance earlier this year when he engaged in a simultaneous chess match against 10 players in Germany.

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Starting his journey in the South African village of Cape Agulhas, the endurance athlete from Worthing in southern England set forth on a mission to traverse the entire length of Africa, battling through the continent's varied terrain, from dense jungles to barren deserts.

The 27-year-old passed through Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania and Algeria, before arriving at Ras Angela.

Sharing his journey with the world via the social media platform X, Cook declared, "The first person ever to run the entire length of Africa. Mission complete." Yet, his path to victory was fraught with obstacles.

Despite his initial hope of completing the journey in 240 days, setbacks such as theft, injury, and visa complications delayed his progress.

Reflecting on the most harrowing moments of his odyssey, Cook recounted a brush with death in the Congo , where he found himself at the mercy of a gang armed with machetes made him contemplate quitting his expedition.

"The scariest moment was in the Congo, when I was on the back of a motorbike, thinking I was about to die, getting driven into the jungle. That was pretty nuts," he shared with reporters.

"Probably for about one minute I thought about quitting, and then I realised I couldn't, so that was about as close as it got," he added.

Cook's achievement transcends personal glory, as it has also raised funds for noble causes. His run generated over $870,000 for charities such as the Running Charity, which supports homeless young people, and Sandblast, aiding displaced individuals from Western Sahara.

However, amid the jubilation surrounding Cook's feat, his claim of being the first person to run the length of Africa has been contested by the World Runners Association (WRA).

WRA, a group made up of seven athletes who claim to have successfully circumnavigated the world on foot cited Jesper Kenn Olsen, a Danish ultrarunner who completed a similar journey in 2010.

Olsen's 12,791km trek began on December 28 2008, spanning from Taba, Egypt, to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa lasting 434 days.