Race Across The World 2026 - Thread 2

[LindorDoubleChoc]

Here we are continuing to watch, chat about and admire Race Across The World 2026, Sicily to Mongolia. Everyone welcome!

Link to thread 1 is here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5510122-race-across-the-world-2026?reply=15225883.]]

I'm sorry I've had to start this probably a little early as I'm not watching live tonight (got home very late from work).

Yes. But some people who are tv presenters now started out on reality shows. It is possible that a producer might see them and think they are worth it. Alfie from a previous series is presenting the after show for example.

Stacey Solomon, Ben Fogle and Alison Hammond all started out on reality shows and are now all presenters. I don’t see why some people are so upset by this idea.

And I’m not saying they should get tv work from this but that they might do.

Way to try to have an argument when there's really nothing to argue about.
No one is "vehemently posting" about the boys.
They're just a couple of nice young lads with good personalities who are doing well & winning the public over.
Don't make it weird.

But it’s clear that Harrison hugely struggles / struggled with the idea of a homestay and throwing f himself into things so the fact he has been able to do it even a little bit is progress!!

I’m not dissing H & K, and can definitely see Harrison coming out of his shell socially and emotionally. I’m just saying that J & K’s warmth, curiosity and willingness to give anything a go is what’s catapulted them into the lead. Their connections have benefitted their race.

I think molly and Andrew will win. They’re only 5 hours behind the boys and have quite a bit more money left. I like all the teams, probably Margo and mark slightly less. I don’t think they’ll finish it though and would be surprised if they make it to the penultimate checkpoint.

I agree, I genuinely don't know why people do this.
Best to tune it out!
It's such an enjoyable show, I'm loving this series.

Why did Kush get so emotional with the Mongolian throat singing? Was it to do with his late father?
Jo and Kush are both very musical.
I loved the scenes of Katie and Harrison shovelling coal!

As long as they are happy to subtitle any prog. they are on. I guess.

I’m bored discussing them too. This fawning on this thread is what turned me off them.

Where did Margo answer questions about the logistics of the show. I wonder if the This is entertainment will do a podcast about this series. I’m very interested in the logistics. I think the production team direct their routes (and conversations) and I wonder if there is some frustration about that, especially for the teams with lower budgets and less time.

Kush said he’d only ever heard one piece of Mongolian music, which his late father had played a lot - and it was what the band had started playing.

Thank you.

I really liked Katie and Harrison at that dance, they were so awkward, but joined in 😊

What on earth are you talking about? Honestly your comments about Joe and kush are just getting weird now. We get it, you dont like them, but there is no difficulty whatsoever understanding them. FYI they put subtitles on the show when the sound is affected not because of regional accents or 'working class accents' as you so derisively commented before. FFS have a day off!

I don't find the boys particularly charismatic and can't see them having tv careers

HOWEVER, they seem lovely. I think all four teams are hugely benefitting from their experiences, it's great to see.

I would like K and H to win (given Mark and Margo have no chance), but think it will be Molly and Daddy and I think the producers held back the heart attack info late to win us round to them - nothing wrong with them, just the least engaging team imvho.

Going into the last episode I don't think the suspense is who will win as much as can Margo and Mark finish.
It would be heartbreaking for them not to get to the finish line/book.
Mongolia put spanner in works they were getting used to how to travel efficiently then the game changed needed to be better at calling in favours.
Well done to the show planners for the route. Boys were lucky to have phone number info about bus to plan that. Unfortunately for Margo the homestay people were not as willing to help them in the race or didn't get the concept.

I love the way Harrison is pushing himself out of his comfort zone. And well out of his comfort zone, too! For a naturally reticent person without the easy charm of some of the other contestants, he's done a lot of work to loosen the grip money worries had on him. I'd love if he and Katie made up time and won.

However, realistically, either the two favourites on here will charm someone to get another free ride or two, or Molly and Andrew will spend big to get to the end before them. Hoping for the latter in that scenario.

I hope Mark and Margo finish. I'm a way it's helping them to let go of Julia, and move on with life. I think Mark has done really well.

Logistics-wise, Margo posts on Facebook each day about the programme and answers every comment and question. She posts under ‘Margo Oakley’. We need to get her over to Mumsnet to answer questions!!

That would be good. After the final episode obviously.

It’s a really lovely series. I’d like to see either Mollie and her dad or (if they can) Katie and Harrison win.

Nothing against the boys – I just feel that if it comes down to a sprint finish (sometimes it has, but the programme editing ALWAYS makes you think it does) an all-male team has a natural advantage. Memories of Jen trying to huff and puff up that last hill in South America just about broke my heart!

Indeed! Jen and Robbie where my faves ever.

DH had cardiac arrest and heart attack at 52, he's back running half marathons, and is hoping to cycle the Coast to Coast this summer.
He still has the Ben Nevis ultra marathon in his head. He did Snowden and Scafell before his cardiac arrest

Maybe many of you know this already, but Zainib and Mobeen, who were in RATW Canada, have had a baby daughter after 8 years of infertility ❤️

I love the boys and want them to win. I don't think their background matters.
I don't think the drivers were talking advantage of tourists. They were just behaving like taxi drivers which seems to be the culture there. Definitely not exploitation the fares were not particularly high for the distances traveled .
The people generally seemed very welcoming and kind.

Yes. I don't think the drivers were trying to scam people, it's just the culture, but it's probably acceptable to haggle a bit.

Good news.