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00:25It's got a mix of different styles of architecture.
00:30It's a very beautiful city.
00:31I don't want you to tell us, Mark.
00:32You're the expert.
00:33I've never been here, but you know.
00:37Halfway into the 12,000-kilometre race to Mongolia...
00:41Wow, what a place.
00:42Look at that.
00:42God, it's stunning.
00:44Oh, I love it.
00:45That's where we ran.
00:45Yeah.
00:46I know, yeah.
00:48All four teams gather in Georgia's capital.
00:53Despite all the buildings being so old, it's a very young city.
00:56It's such a street vibe to it, isn't it?
00:58There's a sculpture or something, isn't there?
01:01Oh, yeah.
01:01What is that?
01:02In the heart of Tbilisi, the Tamada or Toastmaster.
01:07Is he singing a song or is he having a drink?
01:09Are you enjoying that?
01:10Tasty.
01:10Tasty.
01:11A symbol of hospitality for nearly 3,000 years, embodying the Georgian belief that every
01:17guest is a gift from God.
01:19Hello.
01:20Hello, everybody.
01:22Fancy meeting you all here.
01:24Imagine.
01:25Such an amazing place for halfway line.
01:28Yeah.
01:29It's such a milestone.
01:31I have no clue what to expect in the next couple of countries.
01:34No idea.
01:34The map is pretty empty.
01:37The teams are entering a new phase of the race.
01:40As they prepare to cross a changing landscape, the leaderboard also shifts.
01:45Mark and Margo have leapt into the lead, while Katie and Harrison trail by nearly 20 hours.
01:51We've dropped from first fourth quite dramatically.
01:56Ah, bottom's terrible.
01:58Like, we had great experiences last time, but I want to make up time.
02:01I think it is just about finding that balance between race and experience.
02:05We clearly haven't found it except in one or the other.
02:08We've proved we can win a leg.
02:10Actually, we've stumbled into winning a leg.
02:12We've gone up and up and up the leaderboard.
02:15Trying to stay at the top now?
02:16Yes!
02:17Yeah.
02:18Due to the land borders being closed between Georgia and Azerbaijan,
02:22it is not possible for the race to continue overland.
02:25You must fly to Akhtar, Kazakhstan.
02:28Wow!
02:30Kazakhstan.
02:31That's a big one on the map.
02:33It's huge.
02:34Oh, my God!
02:35That's going to be amazing.
02:37What's there?
02:38Vast open spaces and grasses everywhere, no trees.
02:43Jeepers.
02:45I'm quite apprehensive.
02:46I know a little bit about the stands,
02:49but Kazakhstan, I've got no idea at all.
02:52It's going to be a wild ride, and we're up for a wild ride.
02:54We didn't sign up for things just to be regular safe.
02:57I can't believe I'm going to Kazakhstan.
02:59It just feels mental.
03:01I don't know what to expect.
03:03I literally couldn't tell you.
03:04I don't know what these countries are like for English,
03:06but I can't imagine that you're going to rock up and go like,
03:08You all right, bro?
03:08Do you know what I mean?
03:11It very much feels like the unknown now.
03:20You're right now.
03:28I know.
03:34You're not easy.
03:36Leave us for filог phrase.
03:41No more.
03:41We need help.
03:43Well, I'm going to need my sunglasses here.
03:45Look at that.
03:46Let's get out into Kazakhstan.
03:49Welcome to Kazakhstan.
03:51Here we are.
03:52After their flight from Georgia, the four teams have touched down in Akhtal.
04:03Set between desert and sea, a Soviet-era city engineered solely for industry.
04:11This is the gateway to Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country,
04:18one of vast horizons and challenging landscapes
04:22that have shaped a culture of both endurance and generosity.
04:29It looks good here, though. Look at that.
04:31See, just for miles.
04:33I've been on a prairie.
04:35Race leaders Mark and Margot are the first to depart.
04:38Your fifth checkpoint is Zamin National Park.
04:43Ooh, that'll be glorious.
04:45Let's have a look.
04:47Zamin.
04:48Uzbekistan.
04:49Well found, Margot.
04:50A journey of around 2,200 kilometres into the soaring peaks of Zamin National Park.
05:00Part of the Turkestan mountain range, and nicknamed the Uzbek Switzerland,
05:06its alpine meadows and hidden valleys shelter rare birds, lynx, and Siberian ibex.
05:12Home to some of Central Asia's most dramatic scenery, a contrast to the arid plains that lead here.
05:20Whoa, the route's going to be wild getting there, I think.
05:23I think so.
05:24I mean, you could go round this way via Kazakhstan.
05:27That is considerably longer.
05:28I think the best way is to go to Uzbekistan.
05:31Go to Uzbekistan.
05:31Yeah.
05:32That's the most direct route, isn't it?
05:34For their longest leg yet, the teams must choose between two countries.
05:39They can make an early crossing into Uzbekistan, following ancient Silk Road routes through bustling cities.
05:47Shorter in distance, but transport may be less reliable.
05:51Or they can stay in Kazakhstan, tracking northeast across remote lands dotted with Soviet-era settlements.
05:59All connected by a 16,000 kilometre railway network that offers slower but steadier travel.
06:07We've only just got to Kazakhstan.
06:09I'd like to see more.
06:11I think it's going to be very much like this, you know, quite boring visually.
06:14Hmm.
06:14Um, Kazakhstan sounds a bit like more crazy and wild, like the Wild West.
06:19Hmm.
06:20Mark has had a lot of choices so far.
06:22I've enjoyed the things we've done, but we've made decisions that were right for him.
06:26But as race has continued, I've realised that I have to have my turn of choosing things.
06:30So let's have a little look in the directory, see what jobs are on offer.
06:33OK, yes, yes.
06:34Look at this, Mark, look at that one.
06:36The horse farm near Turkestan.
06:38I love horses.
06:39You do?
06:40Yeah, do you?
06:41Hmm.
06:41I'm not too keen on horses, but I think Mongolian and Kazakhstan horses, I think they're quite small.
06:46Are they?
06:47I might be OK with them, yes.
06:48Joyful horses.
06:49Yeah.
06:50Coming first, I think we've got the chance to take risks.
06:53Even though it looks further to travel, I feel it's going to be faster, but I've got nothing to base
06:59it on.
06:59It's a gamble.
07:00Yeah, it's OK.
07:01Let's gamble and go to Kazakhstan.
07:02Roll the dice.
07:03Yeah.
07:04We want to get to...
07:05Train station.
07:06To keep the race on track, the in-laws are planning a Kazakh adventure, heading north-east from Akhtau City
07:12by rail.
07:14Oh, sorry, do you speak English?
07:15The train station.
07:16He will take me.
07:19Yes, yes, yes, yes.
07:22Oh, thank you.
07:23My name is Janice.
07:26Jengis, the man.
07:28I'll go in the front with Jengis.
07:30Lovely.
07:32Hey, hey.
07:34Welcome, Kazakhstan.
07:36Hey, Akhtau.
07:37Hey.
07:39Look at this.
07:40It is like the Wild West Mart.
07:42Look at this.
07:42It is, isn't it?
07:42Yeah.
07:45Train.
07:46Choo-choo.
07:47Choo-choo.
07:48Caspi-sea.
07:49Mm-hmm.
07:50Caspi-sea, потом, вокxal.
07:52No, we want the station.
07:54Oh, I think you wanted to show us the Caspian Sea.
07:56Caspi-sea, yes.
07:56Caspi-sea.
07:57We've got a bit of a tour here.
07:59I'm not sure about this, Margot.
08:01This is what we like, adventure.
08:04The adventure of a lifetime, Kazakhstan.
08:0990 minutes behind, there is a train route that goes straight through Kazakhstan.
08:13I'm sick of buses.
08:15Joe and Kush debate their options.
08:16I think it's going to take longer than it's worth, in my opinion.
08:20Uzbekistan looks way shorter.
08:22Our number one priority is the race, so I want to take the faster route regardless.
08:27I can't lie, it is wacky, but I think Overnight Chain will be sick.
08:31An amazing experience.
08:32I want to do Kazakhstan.
08:35Uzbekistan does look more efficient.
08:36It does look quicker.
08:37But I'm not thinking about efficiency.
08:39I'm thinking about the experience.
08:42Is this travelling through Kazakhstan?
08:45Yes.
08:46Oh, bro.
08:46So from 8.30 a.m. tomorrow, we can get from Aktau to Kizlodra?
08:50One day, five hours.
08:52Oh, wow, okay.
08:5229-hour train.
08:54We're going to cover so much distance by this one overnight.
08:57Let's go Kazakhstan.
08:58Clinching the argument for Joe.
09:00Bosh.
09:01The best friends have found a cross-country train leaving in the morning, taking them
09:06a hugely beneficial 1,400 kilometres deep into Kazakhstan.
09:1129-hour train is going to be boss.
09:14We are super, super stoked.
09:16Tomorrow, we are covering more distance than the length of the UK.
09:19That could be sick.
09:27Caspian Sea.
09:28Wow.
09:29Caspian Sea.
09:30We're seeing the Caspian Sea, weren't we, Mark?
09:33Spanning an area the size of Japan, the Caspian Sea isn't a sea at all, but the world's largest
09:39lake.
09:40Gorgeous.
09:40Didn't think we'd get to see this, did you?
09:42No, I didn't.
09:44Five nations share its vast shoreline.
09:48Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan.
09:53Ah, this is beautiful.
09:58I am liking Kazakhstan so far.
10:00Already get a sense of the pride they've got in their country.
10:03Caspian Sea.
10:04Caspian Sea, yeah.
10:06Without you, we wouldn't have seen it.
10:09Station.
10:10Choo-choo.
10:11Choo-choo.
10:11Yes, ticket.
10:12Ticket?
10:13Yeah.
10:14What's he telling you?
10:15Oh, 6.30.
10:17Oh, dear.
10:18We missed it.
10:20So if we'd come straight out, we could have...
10:22Yeah.
10:23We might have done it, yeah.
10:248.30 tomorrow.
10:26Yes, OK.
10:28Eyeing up the same long-distance train as Joe and Kush...
10:32It's going to be a long, hard journey, I think, for us.
10:34Just zip it, man.
10:36This journey's going to be a triumph.
10:37They will also need to wait until morning, losing their lead before they've left Actaou.
10:44No matter what the consequences, I'm glad we've done it.
11:02Welcome to Canada.
11:04Thank you, my friend.
11:05This is Kushner.
11:08Hey, look at these, Mark.
11:108.30 in Actaou.
11:13I've just seen Mark and Markle.
11:15Did you?
11:15Yeah, they're on the same train.
11:18Gee.
11:19That's mad.
11:20We've closed that gap.
11:21Looks like it's go time.
11:24Wow.
11:25The efficiency.
11:27Leaving on time.
11:28Two teams set off on their long-haul train journey, bound for the vastness of Kazakhstan.
11:34It's going to be interesting, isn't it?
11:35Well, ask me that in 29 hours.
11:39First carved over a century ago, these Russian and Soviet tracks skirt the sparse Usturd plateau.
11:49Outside, some of the most remote terrain on earth.
11:53Inside, the carriages are famed for their village-like community, where the Kazakh spirit can turn strangers into family.
12:06I have no clue what this game is, don't know what it's called, don't know how it works.
12:09This guy just whips out the board and started pointing.
12:13Not a single word spoken yet.
12:18Oh!
12:20Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:21Wait, you can't.
12:22I know, yeah.
12:23I'm probably getting battered right now.
12:25I don't know what the score is, but it is fun just, like, interacting with someone in a different way.
12:29Oh, wait.
12:31Don't you think he's shown me?
12:32Oh, my God.
12:33He won second in the championship.
12:36Why?
12:38Oh, my God.
12:40You're playing with a master job.
12:43It's the strangest sausage I've ever seen.
12:45Yes, isn't it?
12:46Very old sausage.
12:47Right, you're going to have to help me with that.
12:49No, no.
12:49Hazek spam.
12:51Got to eat it.
12:52Keep your strength up.
12:53I was a vegetarian for 20 years.
12:55I'm becoming a vegetarian again.
12:56Not on this trip, you weren't, please.
12:59Blokes over there are having vodka with their breakfast.
13:02Do you think we should get some vodka with our breakfast?
13:04I am not having vodka with my breakfast, no.
13:06It must be a tradition, a Kazakhstan tradition, Mark.
13:09Oh, let's have a vodka.
13:10No, no vodka first thing in the morning.
13:12I'm going to ask if it's traditional, okay?
13:14Okay, you can see.
13:15I'm going to ask them about the culture.
13:17What?
13:18English?
13:19No, no.
13:19No, no.
13:20What was the name?
13:21Margo.
13:22Margo.
13:23Margo.
13:23Margo.
13:24My name's Sultan.
13:25Sultan?
13:26Sultan.
13:27Do you have vodka for breakfast?
13:29Is this usual?
13:41This is a good tradition?
13:44Oh, Mark, I'm having a great time.
13:47Yes.
13:49Hypnotized.
13:50Give me your vodka.
13:52I give me your vodka.
13:55Mark, you don't want to come round and join us?
13:57No.
13:57No?
13:58I'm happy here.
13:59Oh, sorry, sorry.
14:00Sorry.
14:00Is that all it?
14:01I don't drink vodka at all, really.
14:03It's not my drink.
14:04He wants to marry me, does he?
14:06No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
14:08You're a very naughty boy.
14:10I'm on trend shows, actually.
14:11I like to look out the window and see the landscape.
14:13Let's go.
14:14It's always.
14:17It's always.
14:17Yay!
14:21As two teams advance further into Kazakhstan.
14:26Look at that.
14:27Look, that is just unreal.
14:28As far as the eye can see, nothing.
14:31I sound silly, but, like, you can see why people think they're at this flat.
14:36Third, to get going, Andrew and Molly set out their plan.
14:41I really want to do a city.
14:43I love the idea of being around people and culture.
14:47Uzbekistan is synonymous with the original Silk Road.
14:50Some of the most beautiful cities in the world.
14:53I think that could be dead fun.
14:55It'll be fun.
14:58Opting for a route east through Uzbekistan,
15:01the pair set their sights on an ancient city, Kiva.
15:07You all right?
15:08Yeah.
15:09OK.
15:09Where's the train?
15:11We're trying to go to Uzbekistan.
15:14Through Ben, you.
15:16You know?
15:17Yes.
15:18No, no, no.
15:21Determined to reach Uzbekistan today,
15:23they must first make the five-hour trip to Benu,
15:26aiming for an evening connection across the border.
15:30How much to go to Benu now?
15:32I think we missed a train to Benu,
15:35where we know we would have got a connection to Uzbekistan.
15:39So we're kind of racing the clock a bit,
15:41because I really want to go to Kiva City.
15:4450?
15:45Molly.
15:46Yes.
15:47Guy's willing to take us for $50.
15:48Yes.
15:49All right?
15:50To Benu and we'll be there for 4 o'clock.
15:52Jeez, that'd be great.
15:54I think we take it.
15:55OK.
15:56Go, go, go.
15:57Go, go.
15:58Are you happy with us, yeah?
15:59Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:00We need to get there.
16:03Do you have to go there?
16:04$100.
16:05No.
16:06$100.
16:07No.
16:08Stop.
16:09Well, then, grand, we get the train.
16:11No.
16:11How much?
16:12Do you want to know?
16:14I really haven't a clue what to go.
16:16Yeah, we had agreed $50,
16:17and then his mates obviously got around him
16:19and decided that that wasn't the money to pay.
16:21Hey, hey, you're doing good.
16:23I don't want $100.
16:25I want $70.
16:27But Molly's currently in negotiations with about 20 men.
16:30That's OK.
16:30Yeah, then, goodbye.
16:31Goodbye.
16:32You all right, Molly, then?
16:33Yeah.
16:33She's holding her own, so, but we just have to wait and see.
16:37$70.
16:39Daddy.
16:40He did for $70.
16:41Well done.
16:42That was good.
16:45Right, go.
16:47Stressful.
16:48It means we get the connection tonight,
16:50which is the main thing.
16:52When's the last time you ever had something like that?
16:53I've never had that before.
16:55Never?
16:55Jesus, Molly.
16:56Well done, Katie.
16:57With Andrew and Molly finally on their way to Bennu...
17:01Oh, by the way, we're still in Europe.
17:03We're not in Europe.
17:04We're in Asia, Harrison.
17:05Kazakhstan playing the Euro qualifiers.
17:07Katie and Harrison waste no time in doing the same.
17:11I don't do continents.
17:12I do football confederations.
17:15We're going through Uzbekistan rather than over the top through Kazakhstan.
17:20Immediately, it looks like the direct route.
17:25Chasing the same train as Andrew and Molly,
17:27they look to move quickly across Uzbekistan.
17:31We are 20 hours behind first.
17:34Last leg, we maxed out on experience,
17:36but it did feel like we threw away
17:38three lengths worth of hard work.
17:40I just don't want to sign in last again.
17:43We're racing a lot more than the last leg,
17:45but it is about balance.
17:47Whilst we're in these places,
17:49we're going to try and experience as much as possible.
17:52Oh, there's camels.
17:54Oh, my God, there's just camels in the middle of the world.
17:57This is going to be cool.
18:02Right, let's go. Bye-bye.
18:07What time?
18:0948. And it goes to Nookers.
18:11OK.
18:12Yes. Nookers time.
18:13Tickets secured.
18:14Hello!
18:16Hello!
18:17Just like the frontrunners,
18:19the bottom two teams are now neck and neck.
18:22Happy days!
18:23Are you getting this one as well?
18:25Yeah, that's all sorted.
18:27Yay!
18:28Right, let's get on the train.
18:33There is a race back on.
18:34It's nice to know that we've caught up with someone already.
18:37I'm sure they're not happy to be with us.
18:39Because it means they've lost their lead on us.
18:42There's no other train we could have got,
18:43so we've got what we needed to do.
18:45I'm not worried about who I can see.
18:47Yeah.
18:47I'm worried about who I can see.
18:48Who I can see, exactly.
18:49And if people are around us,
18:51that means we're in the game.
18:52Will you have some bread?
18:54I will have some of them, I say.
18:56It's a bit like Jesus bread and water, isn't it?
19:00I am starving.
19:02Got no water, no food.
19:04But what we've been doing here is
19:06eat when you can,
19:07because you don't know when you're going to eat next.
19:09Yeah.
19:09The problem is,
19:10it's not that hard to find food.
19:12So every time I eat,
19:13I've been eating like I'm not going to eat next 48 hours.
19:16But realistically, it's the next four to eight hours.
19:35Oh!
19:36Don't drink the water.
19:38Thanks!
19:40It's not exactly the Orient Express.
19:43Give me a...
19:46I'll bring it to you.
19:53I'm not going to eat.
19:56I'm not going to eat next.
19:59Poor.
20:00The girls are not going to eat.
20:03Don't eat.
20:04I'm not going to eat.
20:06I'm not going to eat.
20:10I'll be running.
20:13as the 29-hour train pulls two teams further across Kazakhstan their rival two teams have
20:20made it to Uzbekistan got a train ticket sorted for tomorrow morning out of knock us I'm very
20:26much looking forward to getting to explore Uzbekistan a bit a nation now dominated by
20:32youth with 60% of its citizens under 30 yet beneath that energy lies a history stretching
20:39back more than two millennia with some of Central Asia's oldest settlements how old is this cemetery
20:47then Katie think of old and then think like even older than that just outside Nukas one of those
20:55ancient sites still remains Mr Khan a sacred necropolis in use for 22 centuries as a burial
21:03ground for local communities profits and royalty we're getting into someone's grave it's kind of creepy
21:10on what the wow even the brickwork on it it's just you've got hundreds of different types of bricks
21:19in it and they've then been put together to create a pattern it must have been such a fast I
21:25really want
21:25one will you build a building for me when I die must be jerky it's just cool to go somewhere
21:33that's so
21:34untravelled part of world I never thought I'd go to I know we're obviously racing this leg to try and
21:40get
21:40out fourth place but been nice to stop for a second isn't it like to get an appreciation of of
21:45what Uzbekistan's
21:47about yeah thousands of year old railway stood some of them date back to 400 BC and the dinosaurs
21:54around oh my god he says where's the ticket office sorry on the other side of town at Nukas station
22:06sorry do you really buy a ticket you could Andrew and Molly have their own plans to explore Uzbekistan
22:14I am especially looking forward to Kiva City we'd love to see the culture rather than going out to nature
22:21just more daddy things but yeah that'd be lovely actually we're looking to get to Kiva City when is the
22:28next train I'm about 20 am every day all right thank you thank you thank you right okay having missed
22:34another train we seem to keep getting stuck they search for alternative transport hello English English
22:43is there a bus to Kiva boss no thanks no thanks no taxi talk a taxi I don't know what
22:48to do I don't
22:49know yeah sorry just let us stop I need to do something want to enjoy today sorry just one sec
22:56I
22:56don't like having to pay for another taxi but I don't want to be stuck at a train station I
23:01really don't know
23:02what to do you can see it from the map the distances we're covering it's gonna be a long leg
23:05a lot of
23:07travel I think you could get lost very very quickly in this leg I'm beginning to realize that Molly has
23:11the ability to be confident but at times she doesn't have that inner self-belief so my job is
23:22the reminder that there's a time to put the skates on okay sorry for being a bit indecisive I'm just
23:27overthinking probably I'm gonna have to make a call yeah he will won't come on Kiva City so do yes
23:37yes okay okay yes Molly's Kiva City dream has cost them another taxi ride good call yeah I think it's
23:48my call I don't know if it's a good one you all right I'm just kind of stressed at least
23:55we should
23:56get there in a couple of hours and enjoy Kiva yeah as father and daughter make the last 180 kilometre
24:04push to Kiva two teams are still racing along the rails through Kazakhstan's Kizilorda region an open
24:11desert step where settlements are scarce and the horizon seems never-ending look at that bit of
24:19flatland oh my god you see that it's a rock how do they survive on this landscape to start off
24:28it
24:28was actually quite a variety of terrain mm-hmm but it's now just flattened out into a vast step I
24:35have not
24:35seen one tree since eight o'clock this morning wake me up with any interesting happens I think you're
24:41pretty safe on the edge of the Karakum desert lies Kiva a gateway for Silk Road traders to rest and
25:00recover
25:01before facing the vast sands of Central Asia within it lies itch and Kala a maze of narrow streets and
25:09blue tiled minarets enclosed by towering clay walls still perfectly preserved today oh look at this Molly
25:18Wow okay just shut up I just feel like we've taxied this whole yeah I know journey and Andrew and
25:29Molly's
25:30city stopover has cost more than a day and a half's race budget on taxis alone a modern reminder of
25:36just how remote this outpost is to reach Kiva yep it's just lovely eventually got here but honestly
25:46very deflated very deflated kind of annoyed of course there's a lot of money to get here and we're gonna
25:56have to spend a lot of money to get out of here more than likely or we just sacrificed the
26:02race it's
26:05something I wanted to do and it's not worked out very well so better guilt with that
26:16you all right I've been fed up sorry yeah do you want to we go for a walk have a
26:25better better us time
26:26I love to go for a walk all right kid yeah okay yeah go and have a walk
26:34it is stunning isn't it kind of like Aladdin that is it is absolutely Aladdin yeah look at it it's
26:41amazing it is crazy I don't really know why I'm upset I'm trying to prove myself that I'm independent
26:49but I really do overthink things I'm always kind of going oh could I have done that better could I've
26:55gotten it for cheaper where's the best place to see it Molly up on the walls no oh wow that's
27:05beautiful
27:08I wish I could stand on my decisions with pride beautiful beautiful spot amazing but I'm scared of
27:17negatively affecting people and with this race it's daddy I don't want to disappoint him that's lovely
27:25actually I probably need to trust my god I know that is within my power so I think this is
27:33what I
27:33need to do from now on in it is beautiful happy we did it good call all right Molly but
27:42you think
27:42it fascinating I always find it said like the sun goes down and it always comes back up again yeah
27:47no matter what your day is like at least it'll come up tomorrow yeah that's the thing so I think
27:52that's what we need to think about it's kind of a nice round off tomorrow be a better day yeah
28:05the noise oh look at that color how beautiful it is lovely isn't it in Kazakhstan after more than a
28:13day's travel this was Chris Lourdes yo Joe is this us Joe Joe and Kush and Mark and Margo alight
28:23in
28:23Kizilorda more than halfway to the checkpoint we need a hotel should you try and find our fella see if
28:32he's there to bed in with Kazakh culture because that's my name because that cushion lovely to
28:38me my friend Joe and Kush have arranged a home stay with local businessman Bekzat and his family very
28:46nice space you're welcome to thank you my house this is my family this is my father my mother
28:57in Kazakh tradition the national dish of best Burmak is served on special occasions it's sharing platter a
29:08symbol of unity and hospitality I show good mm-hmm tastes amazing me basketball and Kush tie boxin tie box
29:38judo my father he fight my tie me my tie father my biological dad passed away when I was one
29:53my
29:54mom was alone with me and my older brother and she met my dad slash stepdad not he was a
30:01fighter he's
30:02coached me and my brother for as long as I can remember as a kid I remember doing pads in
30:11the
30:11garden that's a big one he'd do around the pads with us and then make us do press-ups while
30:16the other one
30:16does the pads even though we're not blood he never once shied away from treating me as his own so
30:26growing
30:27up with him as someone strong to look up to you it meant it means the world your medals
30:37bro what are you saying champion number one champion there's a language barrier but I can sort of relate
30:47to the journey that they've grown up with watching their dad and being inspired to then pursue the same
30:53passion hey you've done this you know what I think this guy's got a lovely family it's so lovely all
30:59of
30:59it's so sweet in Uzbekistan taxi taxi train station train in English ah make the choo-choo noise
31:19train no time to mess around with half-ass train noises we're in a race having spent the night in
31:35Nukas Katie and Harrison are bound 550 kilometers southeast to the medieval city Bukhara gonna go
31:43travel in all day you can't really ask for much more to the south and Kiva train to Bukhara
31:50Andrew and Molly have the same idea two is that the earliest there's no earlier one
31:57Molly the earliest is two it's half 10 now and it's gonna be a long wait the taxis how much
32:03yeah it's
32:0450 quid it's gonna cost several the money to get the taxi this leg we've taxied a lot I think
32:09I'd
32:10rather prioritize budget getting to Bukhara so where trains best yeah that's a good call yeah
32:16I need two tickets to Bukhara feeling very good much better today the last couple of legs I've
32:24realized that being last hasn't been a hindrance Paris and Katie were 10 hours behind us I'm sure
32:29they've got the same trainer that's out of here so I think really in the next coming legs it's not
32:34gonna
32:35matter if we can just stay in the game stay as close as possible appreciate it thanks very much
32:40jump point one in the first couple you only want to win one so so we keep telling ourselves 560
32:48kilometers away in southern Kazakhstan and see some of that soviet architecture isn't it two teams wake
32:55up in Kizilorda in the 1920s it was the Soviet capital owing to its strategic position on the
33:05Tashkent railway line well workers unite look at that that's all the good that circuit propaganda
33:11isn't it it's very strong and dramatic as mark and Margo head out of the city to reach their
33:17homestay come on Marco want to go to sleep so cool Joe and Kush of the opportunity to explore their
33:31host Bekzat's dojo to the coach definitely a random experience they would do though in the middle of
33:43Kazakhstan of course has been starved from his Muay Thai there's nice to see him last some steam
33:56come to this gym it means a lot to me it's more than just throwing and hitting and fighting there's
34:02a lot of meaning behind it I think back to memories of my dad I found it sick to do
34:10what your dad does
34:12being in the gym I wonder what he'd be thinking the beast standing on the side it would have like
34:17a
34:17particular sort of smirk on his face watching me do judo throws
34:26I remember the day he passed it was locked down and it was it was a real big shock
34:33he had really poor mental health and he took his own life
34:41you never sort of forget that that shock factor
34:50I still think about him all the time being on this journey it's brought me little moments of
34:57oh be boss to tell him and I wish I really wish I could sort of show him who I
35:06am now because when
35:07you're 14 it's like I didn't know who I was I was still a child and I made a lot
35:14like I made a lot
35:14of mistakes when I was younger and I feel like if I could sort of show what I've learned
35:32losing Kush's dad it was so sudden I think experiencing them hardships like so unexpectedly
35:42it has affected Kush's personality he wants to stay in control of himself you know he does he's
35:50never drank he's never got drunken before doesn't smoke doesn't do anything without
35:57checking safety twice because it was such a shock I guess he doesn't want anything like that to
36:02happen again thank you I'm very grateful we're doing the race together like we can literally go to
36:13each other for anything we just need to get to Turkestan hopefully we can have some work keeping the
36:17budget healthy I'm always there for Kush and I know he's always there for me as well
36:23who's Turkestan oh thank you thank you check the jobs directory there's a job seven food at this
36:37fuzzy that looks sick that would be boss as Joe and Kush push on south in search of work
36:47across the border in Uzbekistan it's tight now I don't know how you're gonna do this boy Andrew
36:52and Molly are finally on their seven-hour train journey to Bukhara
37:04heading the same way how is it this is scary but kind of cool this is what I've been wanting
37:10to do
37:11this whole time Katie and Harrison I feel like this is an out-of-body experience looking at a desert
37:18outside of a sleeper train yeah I just never thought I'd be here really pleased with how
37:23we're racing so far we spent a good day in Nukas but then got out there as soon as we
37:28reasonably could
37:29and now we're nine hours on the move to Bukhara you couldn't ask for much more really my name is
37:35Faisullah Harrison Harrison nice to meet you Katie where are you from where did you come from Uzbekistan
37:45we're from Manchester Manchester United
37:57if you said to me five years ago that you'd be traveling across the world and seeing these places
38:07I wouldn't have believed you I'm obviously a world away from home but I don't feel it before the race
38:14I certainly wouldn't be going up to speaking to people but I think it's become a second nature now
38:19it is very lovely to meet you two you have been very kind it's the bit that I kind of
38:25dread
38:25but it's always the experience I get the most out of and I'll come away thinking just how wonderful everyone
38:31is
38:32this is a gift from me to you it is very precious to me because it's my first achievement in
38:36Nukas
38:37oh no no no no no you sure uh-huh uh-huh it's a medal ah half marathon ah
38:48running I have run a half marathon two in Manchester I can send you my medal if you would like
38:54it my name is
38:55Faisal love Fazula my name is Harrison we are friends hello lovely aren't they beautiful would you like to get
39:13on one ride
39:13not particularly in Kentau just outside the city of Turkestan Mark and Margo have made it to the horse farm
39:24run by
39:26cool arnish and his family okay one job you've got to do is shovel shit he's very right mocking in
39:37in exchange for bed and board give me a wheelbarrow I'm fine absolutely fine I love wheelbarrows
39:47essential to survival horses have long sustained life on the steppe as transport the source of
39:54kumas a fermented mare's milk and as a vital food source mum loves horses so my granddad loved horses
40:02oh god your granddad was a my great great granddad was a horse trader yes yes so what will we
40:10do with
40:10the horses what oh they're meat meat meat meat meat oh lord my dream has turned into a nightmare the
40:21taste of reality isn't it when I thought about the Kazakh horses I just thought of them running wild
40:29excitedly over the fields or something are we all right I didn't really associate it with the reality
40:37of it's a major food source and that is reality of the way of life but I want to be
40:43open-minded but
40:44sometimes my mind just doesn't want to go there poor fella I'm not as squeamish as Margo's
40:53course of human life isn't it we eat animals light's gone isn't it now right let's go
41:02I'm here am I I'm the head of the table there we go to welcome their guests the family has
41:08prepared a
41:09traditional meal it's like a banquet I feel like a king Margo oh gosh oh thank you very much
41:20look at that it's that goat yeah Ram's head Ram's head for guests of honor oh lord what is this
41:39oh it might feel impolite not to accept it okay I'll try a bit of that to the cake or
41:45something
41:49do you like it it tastes of succulent lamb yes I'm enjoying this route I am enjoying it but it's
41:57not
41:57been everything I'd hoped for it was a bit of a surprise really I don't know why I think my
42:04fairy
42:04tale thinking got me into another fine mess and what's that I don't know it's meat mark this is why
42:14I brought you on the race I'm taking one for the team hi hello they are all happy to see
42:21you in our
42:21home thank you a wonderful family it's been a real joy meeting them this raised my spirits we have
42:35gifts for you oh my goodness someone like how would imagine people from the ex-servic union to be
42:49yeah you'll see images in the west of them being very dour and grumpy this is not the case here
43:01these are vibrant exciting lovely people with big hearts this is my wife it's a Julia the brochure
43:11that carry with me the celebration of Julia's life she's beautiful she's very very beautiful really is
43:18an eye-opener of how we should actually treat fellow humans amazing the Kazakh way your treasures
43:25absolute treasures thank you thank you very much thank you night night night night not lovely
43:31mm-hmm that was an incredible night it was not what I expected for a while there back at the
43:37farm
43:38I was like I know you were very down weren't you I was I was yeah but they've opened their
43:44hearts
43:44and home to us absolutely we could feel it that was so genuine wasn't it this homestay that mean
43:49about horses we about humans you know families yeah in communities and that's what's been so
43:53wonderful about it absolutely 40 kilometers south in the center of Turkestan ourselves dressed up the first
44:06time in a long time I like a smart casual fit you know what I mean Joe and Kush are
44:12bolstering their funds with a
44:13shift at a luxury events venue I wonder what celebration is for today celebration is called a circumcision party sick
44:29the kazakh tradition of sundet toy a celebration of every boy's journey towards manhood how these gifts
44:39lavish fruit this is a really big deal and an opportunity for families to display their wealth by spending big
44:48on lavish banquets and entertainers I never been anywhere like this my team was in a church it was quiet
44:55it
44:55was family and friends and these guys they're getting handed wads of cash oh my god look at that imagine
45:14getting an eagle in your party oh that would be lit nice to meet you that's good yeah Kush it's
45:21nice to
45:22meet you yeah I'm so beautiful thank you I love the outfits okay thank you we will watch okay bye
45:34bye
45:36your eyes are so beautiful give me one minute
45:46this job has been lively shall I say we wanted that randomness we wanted to experience new things I think
45:54this is ticked both of them boxes I don't know I was just blown away that this type of thing
45:59is happening
46:00around the world like yeah it was a celebration of these two lads getting a circumcision but I feel
46:07like it was it uplifted everyone in that moment we're like what I said confine me after you finish
46:16dancing sick steady confidence easy this is the best job oh my god it's mine and Joe's calling you know
46:24what I mean we've been talking to everyone everyone's so nice it's really made me so thankful that I
46:31listen to Joe and we decided to go through Kazakhstan I mean it's such a beautiful country it's got so
46:36much
46:36hearts trying to learn to enjoy the moment a lot more trying not to think so much about the future
46:39or
46:40the past you just got to take it all in your stride and enjoy it as much as you can
46:43and today's been so
46:44enjoyable no he though have you seen them was it oh Harrison you look for me orange is your color
47:11having arrived last night do you want to get me then we've been racing pretty hard this leg we do
47:16have time we can go and have a wander around Katie and Harrison are exploring Bukhara another key stop
47:26on the Silk Road it was a center for Islamic theology unlike the stillness of Kiva it remains a city
47:33where ancient madrassas centers of higher learning set alongside a modern working city stunning
47:41mosque incredible isn't it at its center the 500 year old Kalyan mosque so if you got a scarf
47:54incredible craftsmanship you can see that on a new build in Manchester it's grand arches and geometric
48:01detail designed to evoke a sense of harmony and balance Katie you stand right in the middle
48:09the symmetry of that maybe that's why you like it so much here because everything is symmetrical
48:15it is so we're gonna get some food yeah I'm starving
48:25it's a little bit of luxury isn't it very peaceful I wouldn't have done this a few years ago yeah
48:31you
48:32you used to be really boring so it's just good that you did not let yourself miss out on these
48:37types of
48:37experiences really boring is a bit harsh you're quite boring without the race I wouldn't have allowed
48:45myself to go traveling to see these things in person it's not in the plan I set out for myself
48:50at 17 18
48:52years old my priorities in life have been to save money get on the property ladder as soon as I
48:59can if
49:00that's all sorted and I think it takes away a lot of the worries and stresses I saw our family
49:04grew up
49:05with what God we struggled a little bit financially there was a lot of moving I think I've lived in
49:12maybe
49:1214 different houses I've loaned money to my family from the age of 16 since I started working kind
49:19of like the Bank of Harrison rather than Bank of my dad the stresses of financially not always having
49:27enough that's what shaped me to be so financially motivated and secure but I think my mindset on
49:34that is definitely starting to shift a bill here as much as you thought what service charge what service
49:43charge well it was very good service to be fair it was right well the tourist information center over
49:49there get taxis there to zamen yeah poised just 430 kilometers from zamen sorry do you have any English
49:59the two teams in Bukhara set about securing onward transport we are trying to get to zamen national
50:07park to strike out towards the checkpoint I mean how much $100 no we are on small budget is there
50:19a no
50:20problem we don't care about good car we have cheap with finish low low low no finish okay give me
50:29one minute okay thank you it's a killer on the budget but we are last we need to catch up
50:38if you
50:39will help me with spending it then that's fine yeah we go to zamen yeah okay it's very clean glass
50:46to be fair oh god it's gorgeous in there as Katie and Harrison as well as Andrew and Molly plot
50:54a route
50:54east through Uzbekistan the priority for today is across the board into Uzbekistan the two teams in
51:01Kazakhstan are ready to approach from the north I feel like the tactics quickest for sure I think we
51:07should just try and flag one down here once across the border it's a final push to zamen as the
51:13routes
51:14converge and the pack comes together we're going to Uzbekistan fasten your seat belt we'll be in
51:22checkpoints in no time wrong way bro he's taking a wrong turn he's been told to make a U-turn
51:29but he
51:29keeps thinking any smarter it was Uzbekistan this way he doesn't know he's gone oh my days presume he knows
51:49it should be fine we'll get there don't stress
52:02high in the mountains on Uzbekistan's eastern edge the fifth checkpoint
52:13very dramatic isn't it you like a national park don't know what to sort of Uzbekistan version of
52:19Wales poised and ready to go the national park opens and the teams embark on the final push by taxi
52:28this is the bit that I love but it also stresses me out I can't wait to get going get
52:33me out of this
52:34taxi and ready to go within the salmon mountains the sofa plateau known for its distinct flat high plains
52:42and cool thin mountain air thank you thank you
52:50finally amphitheater and the way further instructions amphitheater
52:58no idea where it could be amphitheater is a man-made amphitheater over there look
53:10it looks to be that up there yeah that's it in the opera house kind of thing salmon amphitheater
53:14standing nearly 2 500 meters above sea level
53:20it needs to work for us sir
53:23Jesus it's dry up here yeah it hurts right here you okay just a sec my legs are wobbly the
53:31altitude
53:32has just killed me keep going you're doing well don't go too fast Mark I did take my inhaler
53:38I'm working very slowly I might have another go with the inhaler I mean no physical state to run
53:46do you want some water no I'm okay with water I'm with yeah the heart's pounding but we're all right
53:53altitude running is not what I'm meant to do
53:56almost there seating stage yeah amphitheater
54:03rather impressive structure travel by cable car to the lower station
54:13I love an echo yes
54:16there's a cable car cable car oh wait that is a cable car oh it's over there I can see
54:23it
54:23I can see the sea lines down yeah cable car looks to be here I think we're getting the wrong
54:29way Margo
54:30if it's far to go I'm just gonna have to have a rest
54:33we're getting full of all the cute people come on
54:37it's lonely two people 140,000 just thank you thank you
54:43get on get on
54:52oh my god
54:56oh look at this this is crazy Jesus oh my oh my god
55:03Bollywood vertical works oh my god my view is insane this is sick
55:11so nice to see a hill
55:18where do you think the other teams are imagine if they're just in the cave of carbine it's gonna be
55:23hilarious that'd be so good
55:25all my beers wow
55:30oh right
55:33find the checkpoint hotel and sign in
55:35hotel hotel what's this hotel is it town hotel is
55:40oh there's two
55:43checkpoint hotel is a little bit vague isn't it
55:47that looks like a hotel no let's try it
55:52I have no idea if that's the checkpoint hotel
55:55yeah it looks nice
56:00reception
56:03better be it
56:07I don't see a book
56:11I think it's wrong hotel
56:14welcome to zamindor resort
56:16please sign in
56:18I'm 33
56:20oh
56:20what the hell
56:21oh yes
56:22what
56:23we're back
56:24we're back
56:25we're back
56:26oh my god
56:28sign
56:29no
56:29no
56:30that's
56:31fuck
56:32I'm so happy to be back in first place
56:35I think transport lined up really quickly
56:37just try go the direct way through and it worked
56:40confidence restored that we are now to race
56:43boss
56:44I'm so happy
56:48do this
56:50oh no
56:52what
56:53that is so impressive
56:55I have done that
56:56last to first
56:57the fact Harrison and Katie got here before us
57:00does kind of show that Uzbekistan was the quicker route
57:03but I'm still not regretting going through Kazakhstan
57:06we have had the best experiences
57:09hopefully we're going to stay consistent near the top
57:11and then on the last leg do that little sprint to the end
57:19third
57:19third time being third
57:20but very pleased about it
57:22thought we were not going to do as well as what we did
57:24oh Molly
57:26that was a tough week
57:27that was very tough
57:28that was a tough week
57:29pure utter relief
57:30journey two to Kiva kind of nearly broke us
57:32I really struggled this leg
57:34and I'm so pleased everything worked
57:36yeah
57:37that's the entrance just there
57:39up on top
57:40yeah
57:40I'm not walking any further till you're certain we've got it
57:43just going up a fire escape
57:45come on up Margot
57:46good evening
57:48please sign in
57:49yes
57:50fourth
57:50yeah
57:51well look at that Katie and Harrison are back in the lead again
57:54Katie and Harrison have had it a lot of times
57:57move over
57:58let someone share the throne
57:59it's getting boring
58:00boring
58:01boring
58:02we've been fourth before
58:03we're at four three two one
58:04we're going forward
58:05we're choosing better routes
58:06no more side quests
58:07no more side quests
58:08to see horses
58:08let's do it
58:15Margot the car coming
58:19let's go
58:20yes let's go
58:21this leg
58:22I'm letting Molly take over
58:23your daughter
58:24she did so a great job
58:25Mark and I are fourth
58:27and we've got to race
58:28this could be a
58:29white knuckle ride
58:31oh
58:31I'm so stressed
58:32I hate to see you in such a negative space
58:36we just can't give up
58:37oh my god
58:38I'm on a horse
58:39in Kyrgyzstan
58:41this isn't real
58:42I feel like I'm in a painting
58:44woo
58:48what are you doing mum
59:04what are you doing mum
59:16what are you doing mum
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