In the sixth season of Race Across the World, five teams of two – including best friends, a father and daughter, cousins, siblings, and the show’s first-ever in-laws – embarked on a challenging 12,000km race from Palermo, Italy, to Hatgal, Mongolia.
Without their phones, each participant has only £23 a day to live on and reach the finish line before anyone else.
Puja and Roshni
Puja, 31, is a doctor and is racing with her cousin software engineer cousin Roshni, 32.
Whose idea was it to sign up?
I first applied a few years ago with a friend, but I was told it’s better to apply with someone you’ve known for a long time. So, I reapplied with Roshni, and I’m really happy we did it together.
Was it hard not being able to contact home?
We both grew up in Asian families, and even though we’re married, our parents still like to stay very involved in our daily lives.
What were you nervous about?
Roshni: For me, it was food. Given we’re vegetarian, I knew we would have to make sacrifices.
Puja: Running out of toiletries.
Who was better at approaching strangers for help?
Roshni: Puja did take the lead at the start and watching her pushed me to do it.
Did the race change you?
Roshni: Definitely. We found out a lot about each other.
Puja: There’s nothing now that we won’t be able to work past.
Mark and Margo
Mark, a 66-year-old retired architect from London, is competing in a race alongside his sister-in-law, Margo. Margo, 59, is a hypnotherapist from Liverpool.
You’re in-laws, who at one point didn’t get on and yet you took on this journey — why?
My wife, Julia, loved watching the show, but she wasn’t the camping type – she preferred luxury hotels! Before she passed away in July 2022, Julia asked Margo and me to stay friends, as we’d become close while caring for her. Participating in this show felt like a way to honor that wish and continue our friendship.
What was your reaction when you learnt the final checkpoint was in Mongolia?
Margo: I don’t do cold!
Mark: I had an inkling it could be Mongolia. Very few people go, so I was thrilled.
What were you most nervous about?
Looking back, we were surprisingly calm! We were a bit overconfident, maybe. We’re experienced travelers and we’re adults, so we felt pretty ready for anything.
Did you agree to prioritise sightseeing or the race?
Margo: We thought that it would be nice to see things but how we got along was my priority.
Mark: Our intention was to be the oldest couple to win.
What did you learn about yourselves along the way?
That race was a really important moment for me. I’m naturally pretty shy, but during one part of it, I had a strange, almost surreal experience that completely shifted my perspective on life.
We were both surprised by how supportive we were of each other. Although we see things differently and think in unique ways, we managed to find common interests and really connect.
Would you go on another adventure together?
Margo: Absolutely!
I really enjoyed spending time with Margo. We have good chemistry and work well as a team, so I’d definitely be open to collaborating with her again in the future.
Katie and Harrison
Katie, a 21-year-old account manager, is competing in a race with her brother, Harrison. Harrison, 23, works as a finance assistant in Manchester.
Whose idea was it to sign up?
I came up with the idea. Our mom sent us the link to the show – it’s one I’ve enjoyed for years. The only thing was getting Katie on board; she was nervous about it until we arrived.
Katie: I was excited for the race, but nervous about the TV aspect.
What was your reaction when you learnt that the final checkpoint was in Mongolia?
I was so stressed! I’d already packed all my clothes for Brazil, because I genuinely believed we were going, and I was worried about having the right things!
What made you most nervous about the task?
Harrison: I was concerned about being hungry.
Did the race test your relationship?
Katie explained that being around others actually improved their connection. While they were polite and friendly when out in public, at home they playfully teased and joked with each other constantly.
We already had a close and solid working relationship before the race because we always collaborate. However, we deliberately tried to avoid getting on each other’s nerves during the competition.
Was there an item you were happy you packed?
Katie: My face masks, especially because your skin gets so dry. It was a nice luxury.
Harrison: I was pretty practical. My calculator and my notebook made me feel better.
What did you learn about yourselves on the race?
Katie: To be a bit more confident in myself. It made me view the world differently.
I usually have a very structured daily routine, so this experience helped me uncover a part of myself I wasn’t aware of.
Would you go on another adventure together?
Harrison: We’ve been waiting to finish my exams, then maybe South America.
Katie: You keep saying maybe, but it’s a definitely!
Andrew and Molly
Andrew, a 54-year-old geography teacher, is competing in a race alongside his daughter, Molly. Molly, 23, is a doctor from Northern Ireland.
Whose idea was it to sign up?
So, I took a chance and submitted the application. Molly was swamped with her final exams, and honestly, we figured it was a long shot – we never imagined we’d actually be selected. It felt like a total surprise when we heard back!
What were you most nervous about?
Andrew: Would we fall out? That was my biggest fear.
Molly: Just doing well. I thought we’d get there eventually, but how was that going to happen?
Did the experience change you?
Andrew: It gave me confidence and courage. To stop overthinking and seize the moment.
I learned that you can’t predict what’s going to happen. It’s best to stop stressing about the future, because you’ll cope with whatever comes your way, and things will eventually be alright.
Was there a luxury you wish you’d taken with you?
Andrew: A spare razor!
Molly: A nice outfit.
Who was better at approaching strangers to ask for help?
Molly: There was a strategy. Daddy went to older people and I approached young people.
Did you agree to prioritise sightseeing or the race?
Okay, so Molly really lays it out here – their whole relationship operates on a ‘trust the moment’ basis. It’s like they’ve agreed that whatever decision either of them makes, right or wrong, they’re both committed to it, no questions asked. No revisiting old choices or playing the blame game – it’s all about living with the consequences together, whatever they may be. It’s a pretty radical level of commitment, honestly.
Andrew: We just wanted to enjoy it.
Kush and Jo
Kush, a 19-year-old taking a year off before college, is competing against his close friend Jo, a 19-year-old university student from Liverpool.
Whose idea was it to apply?
I saw an ad on Instagram and immediately claimed it. I asked Jo if he wanted to join, and he said yes.
Jo: We felt like we didn’t have anything to lose!
Were you worried your friendship would be tested?
Kush: We were confident it was strong enough to overcome any sort of challenges.
Was it difficult to live without your phones?
Kush: It was a blessing in disguise. The worst part was not being able to contact my mum and family.
Jo: In the first week I was craving it quite a lot, but the race requires so much attention.
Did you agree to prioritise sightseeing or the race?
We reached a middle ground. I initially wanted to just enjoy the experience of applying, but Jo was really focused on winning.
The popular show Race Across the World is back on Thursday, April 2nd at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can also catch up on the first five seasons now on iPlayer.
Don’t miss Race Across the World! Add it to your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, exclusive content, and more.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a degree in Journalism.
- Visit us on Twitter
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Hazbin Hotel Secretly Suggests Vox Helped Create One of the Most Infamous Cults in History
- Every Creepy Clown in American Horror Story Ranked
- 22 actors who were almost James Bond – and why they missed out on playing 007
- As Dougal and friends turn 60, Radio Times explores the magic behind The Magic Roundabout
- Best X-Men Movies (September 2025)
- Blue Protocol Star Resonance: Goblin Lair Dungeon Guide
- Jack Osbourne Shares Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Dad Ozzy Osbourne
- Arknights: Endfield – Everything You Need to Know Before You Jump In
- Everything We Know About Gen V Season 3 (& Why It’ll Be a Very Different Show)
2026-03-24 04:09