A Gen Z Runner’s Answer to His Era — An Interview with Chinese Marathon Record Holder Feng Peiyo

China’s post-2000 marathoner Feng Peiyou is running into a new era of speed and possibility. In spring 2026, marathon records were rewritten by both humans and machines: Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe made history in London with a 1:59:30 world record, while a humanoid robot completed a half marathon in Beijing in 50:26. Against this backdrop, Feng clocked 2:05:58 in Tokyo, setting a new Chinese men’s marathon record. For him, robots may show the power of technology, but human running is still about courage, discipline and the inner dialogue between body and mind. (Photo provided to China Youth Daily)

By Wang Xinyuan, Luo Xu(intern) and Liang Xuan/China Youth Daily