Race Across The World 2026

[LindorDoubleChoc]

Hooray!

This is back for another series, starting Thursday.

I just googled very quickly and they set off from Sicily and end the race in northern Mongolia - sounds interesting.

I don't know anything else about it at this point, but thought that we should have a thread ready and waiting.

The landscape shots in that episode were just the best ever - honestly, we were ooohing and aaahing at it all, just stunning. I know we'll never go there, but I loved taking it all in.

I like the boys a lot but Kush was annoying me in that episode. I'm a bit triggered by over-thinking anxious people I think as my Mum was like that and so everything always became about her and accommodating her irrational fears. It got tired after several decades! I hope Kush watches this back and realises he needs to rely on himself a bit more and not just on Joe.

Current favourites are definitely Katie and Harrison. I love her, she's an absolutely wonderful girl, so strong (quite the opposite to Kush, come to think of it).

I was in a long relationship with a boy from Belfast in my early 20s and met many of his friends and of course all of his large family and I spent quite a bit of time in Belfast. I would be surprised if they were all deeply affected by the Troubles as it was normal life to them and everyone experienced the same. As a pp said, I think they sometimes need to shoe horn things in for the back story.

I really hope that the siblings win. They have been through so much with their mum but don't seem bitter at all.

They both have such lovely attitudes..

I also hope the siblings win. They come across as lovely young people. They haven't had an easy life but seem to be able to get on with things instead of dwelling on stuff from the past.
I like Molly but not keen on her dad. He is quite smothering. He acts as if she's 14, not 24.
Margo is what my mother would have described as "bold" - not an admirable trait. It was beyond cringeworthy when she foisted herself upon the women in the train carriage for a "sing song". Would she have done that on her local train - no, so why submit a carriage full of Uzbek women to her enforced jollification. It's as if she's a bit "I'm wacky, me".

This week's scenery was glorious but out of my reach.

I'm leaning towards Katie and Harrison, too.

What's their money situation like?

Katie and Harrison here too, they seem to work together really well as a combination and haven't had any major wobbles yet - hope they're not saving that for the final leg.

Having done a few lengthy trips of 1-6 months, I know you do get points where you have a wobble or a freak out when things go a bit pear shaped, as Kush did, even if you aren't carrying the burden of bereavement or other issues. I don't think it's fair to criticise him for leaning on Jo because they were out there by themselves and though the production team probably did give him a hug too (like someone in a previous series) they probably couldn't get too much into the logistics as it could have been construed as helping.

I'm also team siblings. They seem such lovely young people. They're all quite nice groups, though.
And whilst I may cringe at Margo, I grudgingly admire her confidence.

Me too. Margo would find me far too boring to be friends with - I'm more of a Mark - and I'd find being in her company for any length of time exhausting, but I enjoy watching her, and would quite like to be 'just a little bit more Margo'.

Agree. I really admire her ability to make the most of a situation. Like when they missed the train because of seeing the Caspian Sea, lost their lead, and her reaction was much more about how the Caspian Sea was such a special experience. She really lives in the moment. Also her impromptu wine tasting in Georgia when Mark was sick and they were delayed. She just doesn't stress or spiral, and makes the most of wherever she is.

She'd make a nice aunty for Kush. And they live nearby.

She'd make a nice aunty for Kush. And they live nearby.

I'm a bit suspicious when they are very short on money and suddenly find someone who lets them stay for free overnight and drives them all the way to their next destination for free. I wonder if production orchestrated it by paying them and making it look like they offered?

I don't think the production team tell the contestants how to behave. But even if they did she could have said no She seemed to enjoy it and I just feel that she enjoys being the centre of attention. I'm not sure how much the passengers enjoyed it though.
Can you imagine how it would be if someone from overseas tried to get a carriage full of people on a train in the UK singing?

So agree. She is beyond irritating. The singing on the train was condescending.
i am team siblings, or dad and daughter.
really any one but the in-laws.

I don’t think the production team step in to help when teams are low on money but having a camera crew with you certainly helps I’m sure.

We have a Margo in the office (even down to dancing!). She's relentless and exhausting but completely adorable and I'm delighted she's in my life.

I'd love to go on the lash with Margo occasionally.

And yes to this week's stunning scenery - the cinematography is superb.

I agree with all of this. I’m a similar age to Andrew & from Belfast & it definitely seemed a contrived back story.

Yes, I agree with you. I’m more Mark, but would like to be ‘more like Margo’ at times.

She keeps posting on Facebook, reflections on each week's episode, and she said on her last one that her and Kush meet up regularly now for coffee and margharitas!

What an amazing episode! The lads!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I guess like everything in life things impact people in different ways but there has been countless studies on the impact of the troubles in NI and they are fairly consistent with their findings:

Key Mental Health Impacts
High Prevalence of Trauma: Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of PTSD in the world, largely due to exposure to violent, conflict-related events.
Lasting Psychological Disorders: Chronic depression, anxiety, and trauma-related mental health issues remain common among those directly affected.
Intergenerational Trauma: The trauma has been passed down, with significant mental health challenges reported in children and young adults today, as noted by the Commission for Victims and Survivors.
Substance Misuse: High rates of alcohol and drug misuse are linked to the lasting impact of the conflict. My colleagues husband died of alcohol abuse and she would consider him a victim of the troubles.
Suicide Rates: Research has linked the long-term impact of the Troubles to high levels of suicide, especially among survivors.

I am not suggesting Andrew struggles with his mental health and that wasn't implied but I would understand how seeing the worst of people and what they can be capable of might effect how you view personal safety and the safety of your loved ones

I’m very quiet and reserved. I admire Margo for her ability to get stuck in and make friends with strangers.

I also think Katie is such a wonderful young woman. So resilient, positive and calm. I really like her and Harrison and think they deserve to win.

I'm starting to wonder who is being the most performative v who is genuine - for me its split into Kush, Margo, Northern Irish Dad and daughter v Joe, Mark, Katie and Harrison.

I found the boys annoying when they were collecting walnuts. While the walnuts seemed hard to find, it was explained to them that walnuts were the currency. It felt off to see the boys throwing them to each other and trying to catch them in the plastic bag. And they didn't find many either to repay the host's very generous hospitality.

I thought I read somewhere before that the contestants were not allowed to sleep anywhere to save money. For safety reasons, it had to be on transport or in accommodation. Otherwise they'd all spend the nights in train stations. The boys asking to sleep on the floor isn't something usually allowed (even though they asked in a hotel).

As a pair, they are certainly coming across as the least performative and most genuine.

I think they’re all pretty genuine this year. For example, last year we had ‘I’m a housewife’ contestant who turned out to be a wealthy, top horse trainer (although she did benefit from the experience greatly). There doesn’t seem to be any hidden narratives this year that people have discovered.

I think this year is the first year that I don’t mind who wins. Also, prize fund is only £20000, so not life changing. Definitely helpful, but not huge.