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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.
00:32Yeah.
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, man.
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 we've been 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.
01:10A 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.
01:26Such an amazing place for halfway line.
01:28Yeah.
01:28Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:29It's such a milestone.
01:30I 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 four 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, but we've gone up and up and up the leaderboard.
02:15Trying to stay at the top now?
02:16Yes!
02:16Yeah.
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 the 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, but 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?
03:09Do you know what I mean?
03:11It very much feels like the unknown now.
03:13Well, if I don't think for them.
03:31Fuck it.
03:40The-
03:41When the television left is 1976 and Taco's government has been masturbated to help,
03:43Well, I'm gonna need my sunglasses here. Look at that. Let's get out into Kazakhstan.
03:49Welcome to Kazakhstan. Here we are. Yee-haw!
03:52After their flight from Georgia, the four teams have touched down in Akhtau.
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. I'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. Let's have a look.
04:47Zamin. Uzbekistan. Well 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,
05:05its alpine meadows and hidden valleys shelter rare birds, lynx and Siberian ibex.
05:13Home to some of Central Asia's most dramatic scenery.
05:16A 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. I mean, you could go round this way via Kazakhstan.
05:26That is considerably longer. I think the best way to go to Uzbekistan.
05:30Go to Uzbekistan. Yeah. That's the most direct route, isn't it?
05:33For their longest leg yet, the teams must choose between two countries.
05:39They can make an early crossing into Uzbekistan.
05:43Following ancient Silk Road routes through bustling cities.
05:47Shorter in distance, but transport may be less reliable.
05:51Or they can stay in Kazakhstan.
05:54Tracking north-east across remote lands dotted with Soviet-era settlements.
05:59All connected by a 16,000-kilometre railway network
06:04that offers slower but steadier travel.
06:07We've only just got to Kazakhstan. I'd like to see more.
06:11I think it's going to be very much like this, you know, quite boring, visually.
06:14Hmm. Kazakhstan sounds a bit, like, more crazy and wild.
06:18Like the Wild West. Hmm.
06:20Mark has had a lot of choices so far.
06:22I've enjoyed the things we've done,
06:24but we've made decisions that were right for him.
06:26But as races continues,
06:27I'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. Look at this! Mark, look at that one.
06:36The horse farm near Turkestan. I love horses.
06:39You do? Yeah, do you? Hmm.
06:42I'm not too keen on horses,
06:43but I think Mongolian and Kazakhstan horses, I think they're quite small.
06:46Are they? I might be OK with them, yes.
06:48Joyful horses, yeah.
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,
06:57but I've got nothing to base it on.
06:59It's a gamble. Yeah, it's OK.
07:01Let's gamble and go to Kazakhstan.
07:02Roll the dice. Yeah.
07:03We want to get to... Train station.
07:06To keep the race on track, the in-laws are planning a Kazakh adventure,
07:10heading north-east from Akhtau City by rail.
07:14Oh, sorry, do you speak English? The train station.
07:16If I want you...
07:18He will take me. Great. Yes, yes, yes.
07:22Oh, thank you.
07:23My name is Janice.
07:25Genghis.
07:26The man.
07:28I'll go in the front with Genghis.
07:30Lovely.
07:32Hey-hey!
07:34Welcome Kazakhstan.
07:39Look at this.
07:40It is like the Wild West, Mark. Look at it.
07:42It is, isn't it? Yeah.
07:45Train. Choo-choo. Choo-choo.
07:48Caspian Sea. Mm-hmm.
07:50For Caspian Sea, then the вокxal.
07:52No, we want the station.
07:54Oh, I think you wanted to show us the Caspian Sea.
07:56Caspian Sea, yes.
07:56Caspian 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.
08:09Ninety minutes behind, there's a train route that goes straight
08:12through Kazakhstan.
08:13I'm sick of buses.
08:15Joe and Kush debate their options.
08:17It'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,
08:24so I want to take the faster route regardless.
08:27I can't lie.
08:28It is wacky, but I think overnight train 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.
08:41Ah, well, there's a load down.
08:43Is this travelling through Kazakhstan?
08:44Yes.
08:45Oh, bro.
08:47So from 8.30 a.m. tomorrow, we can get from Akhtal to Ghislodra?
08:50One day, five hours.
08:52Oh, wow.
08:52OK.
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.
09:00Boss.
09:00Shhh.
09:01The best friends have found a cross-country train leaving in the morning,
09:05taking them a 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 safe.
09:27Caspian Sea.
09:28Wow.
09:29Caspian Sea.
09:30We're seeing the Caspian Sea working well, OK?
09:33Spanning an area the size of Japan, the Caspian Sea isn't a sea at all, but the world's largest lake.
09:39Gorgeous.
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.
09:54This 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.
10:11Yes, ticket.
10:12Ticket.
10:13What'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, we might have done it, yeah.
10:248.30 tomorrow.
10:26Yes, OK.
10:28Eyeing up the same long-distance train as Joe and Kush...
10:31It'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.
10:37Yep.
10:38They will also need to wait until morning, losing their lead before they've left Actau.
10:43No matter what the consequences, I'm glad we've done it.
11:02Welcome to Kazak.
11:04Thank you, my friend.
11:05This is Kushney.
11:08Hey, look at these, Mark.
11:108.30 in Actau.
11:13I've just seen Mark and Margo.
11:15Did you?
11:15Yeah, they're on the same train.
11:18Gee.
11:19That's mad.
11:19We've closed that gap.
11:21Looks like it's go time.
11:24Wow.
11:25The efficiency.
11:26Leaving on time.
11:27Two 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?
11:35Ask 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.
12:09It just whips out the board and started pointing.
12:13Not a single word spoken yet.
12:18Oh!
12:20Oh, 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.
12:31I think he's shown me.
12:32Oh, my God.
12:33No.
12:33He won second in the championship.
12:36Why?
12:36Wait.
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.
12:49It's the classic 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 won't be.
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.
13:08Oh, let's have a vodka.
13:10No, no vodka first thing in the morning.
13:12I'm going to ask them if it's traditional, OK?
13:14OK, 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 her name?
13:21Margo.
13:22Margo.
13:23Margo.
13:24My name's Sultan.
13:25Sultan?
13:26Do you have vodka for breakfast?
13:29Mm-hmm.
13:30Is this usual?
13:34Oh!
13:41This is a good tradition.
13:45Oh, Mark, you're having a great time.
13:47Yes.
13:49Hey, hypnotised.
13:50Give me your vodka!
13:52Hi, 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, no, no.
14:08You're a very naughty boy.
14:10I'm on train, Joe, actually.
14:11I like to look out the window and see the landscape.
14:13Let's go.
14:15Taurus.
14:21As two teams advance further into Kazakhstan...
14:26Look at that.
14:27Look at that.
14:27Look, that is just unreal.
14:28As far as the eye can see, nothing.
14:31It sounds silly, but, like, you can see why people think the earth is flat.
14:36Third to get going, Andrew and Molly set out their plan.
14:40I really want to do a city.
14:43I love the idea of being in and 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, the pair set their sights on an ancient city, Kiva.
15:07You all right?
15:08Yeah.
15:09OK.
15:10Where's the train?
15:11We're trying to go to Uzbekistan.
15:14To a venue.
15:16Do you know?
15:17Yes.
15:17No, no, no.
15:21Determined to reach Uzbekistan today, they must first make the five-hour trip to Bennu, aiming for an evening connection
15:28across the border.
15:30How much to go to Bennu now?
15:32I think we missed a train to Bennu, where we know we would have got a connection to Uzbekistan.
15:39So we're kind of racing the clock a bit, because I really want to go to Kiva City.
15:4450?
15:45Molly.
15:46Yes.
15:47Guy's willing to take us for $50.
15:49Yes.
15:49All right?
15:50To Bennu and we'll be there for four o'clock.
15:52Jeez, that'd be great.
15:53I 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, yeah.
16:00We need to get there.
16:03No.
16:04$100?
16:05No.
16:06$100?
16:07No.
16:09Well then, grand, we get the train.
16:11No.
16:11How much?
16:13No, no, no.
16:14I really haven't a clue what to get on.
16:16Yeah, we had agreed $50, and then his mates obviously got around him and decided that that wasn't the money
16:20they paid.
16:21Hey, hey, how much you doing, man?
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, yeah, then.
16:31Goodbye, goodbye.
16:32You all right, Molly?
16:33Yeah.
16:33Yeah.
16:33She's holding her own, but we just have to wait and see.
16:37$70.
16:38$70.
16:39Daddy.
16:40He endured for $70.
16:42Well done.
16:42That was good.
16:45Right, go.
16:47Stressful.
16:48It means we get the connection tonight, which 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, kid.
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.
17:08Katie 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 three 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.
17:51Oh, there's camels.
17:54Oh, my God.
17:55There's just camels in the middle of the road.
17:57This is going to be cool.
18:02Right, let's go.
18:03Bye-bye.
18:07What time?
18:0948.
18:09And it goes to Nookas.
18:11OK.
18:12Nookas time.
18:13Tickets secured.
18:14Hello!
18:17Just like the front runners,
18:19the bottom two teams are now neck and neck.
18:22Happy days.
18:23Are you getting this one as well?
18:25Yes.
18:25Yeah, yeah, yeah.
18:26That'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.
18:39It 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.
18:49Exactly.
18:50And if people are around us,
18:51that means we're in the game.
18:52Mm-hm.
18:53You could have some bread.
18:54I would have some of them, I'd 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 eat when you can
19:07because you don't know when you're going to eat next.
19:09Yeah.
19:09The problem is, it's not that hard to find food.
19:12So every time I eat, I've been eating like I'm not going
19:14to eat the 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...
19:45...
19:45...
19:46...
19:47...
19:50...
19:51...
19:54...
19:54...
19:54...
19:56...
19:57...
20:03...
20:04...
20:04...
20:04...
20:04...
20:06...
20:06...
20:13As the 29-hour train pulls two teams further across Kazakhstan,
20:18their rival two teams have made it to Uzbekistan.
20:22Got a train ticket sorted for tomorrow morning out of Nukas.
20:25I'm very much looking forward to getting to explore Uzbekistan a bit.
20:30A nation now dominated by youth, with 60% of its citizens under 30.
20:35Yet beneath that energy lies a history stretching back more than two millennia,
20:41with some of Central Asia's oldest settlements.
20:45How old is this cemetery then, Katie?
20:48Think of old and then think, like, even older than that.
20:52Just outside Nukas, one of those ancient sites still remains.
20:57Mizda Khan, a sacred necropolis in use for 22 centuries
21:02as a burial ground for local communities, profits and royalty.
21:07We're getting into someone's grave.
21:10It's kind of creepy, aren't we?
21:12What the?
21:13Wow.
21:15Even the brickwork on it, like, it's just...
21:17You've got hundreds of different types of bricks in it,
21:19and they've then been put together to create a pattern.
21:22It must have been such a farce.
21:24I really want one.
21:27Will you build a building for me when I die?
21:29Must be jerky.
21:32It's just cool to go somewhere that's so untravelled.
21:35Part of a world I never thought I'd go to.
21:37I know we're obviously racing this leg
21:39to try and get out of fourth place,
21:41but it's been nice to stop for a second, isn't it?
21:43I'd like to get an appreciation of what Uzbekistan's about.
21:48Yeah, thousands of years have I wasted.
21:50Some of them date back to 400 BC.
21:53And the dinosaurs are out.
21:55Oh, my God.
21:57Are you serious?
22:00Where's the ticket office?
22:02Sorry!
22:03On the other side of town, at Nuku's station...
22:07Sorry, do you really buy a ticket?
22:09Ticket?
22:10Andrew and Molly have their own plans to explore Uzbekistan.
22:14I am especially looking for Kiva City.
22:17I'd love to see the culture rather than going out to nature.
22:21Just more daddy things, but yeah, that'd be lovely, actually.
22:25We're looking to get to Kiva City.
22:27When is the next train?
22:29About 20 a.m. every day.
22:31All right, thank you. Thank you.
22:33OK.
22:34Having missed another train,
22:36we seem to keep getting stuck.
22:37They search for alternative transport.
22:40Hello.
22:41English.
22:42English.
22:43Is there a bus to Kiva?
22:44Bus, no.
22:46Taxi. Taxi.
22:48I don't know what to do. I don't know.
22:49Sorry, just let us talk.
22:51I need to do something.
22:53I want to enjoy today.
22:55Sorry, just one sec.
22:56I don't like having to pay for another taxi.
22:58But I don't want to be stuck at a train station.
23:01I really don't know what to do.
23:02You can see it from the map.
23:03The distances we're covering is going to be a long leg,
23:06a lot of travel.
23:07I think you could get lost very, very quickly in this leg.
23:10Beginning to realise that Molly has the ability to be confident,
23:13but at times she doesn't have that inner self-belief.
23:16The f***ing stupid Kiva, I don't know.
23:19Oh.
23:21So, my job is a reminder that there's a time to put the skates on.
23:25OK.
23:25Sorry for being a bit indecisive.
23:27I'm just overthinking, probably.
23:29I'm going to have to make a call.
23:31Yeah.
23:34Kiva City?
23:36Yes.
23:37OK, OK, yes.
23:42Molly's Kiva City dream has cost them another taxi ride.
23:47Good call, yeah?
23:48I think it's our call.
23:49I don't know if it's a good one.
23:51You all right?
23:51I'm just kind of stressed.
23:55At least we should get there in a couple of hours and enjoy Kiva.
23:58Yeah.
24:00As father and daughter make the last 190km push to Kiva,
24:05two teams are still racing along the rails
24:07through Kazakhstan's Kizilorda region.
24:10An open desert steppe where settlements are scarce
24:14and the horizon seems never-ending.
24:17Look at that.
24:19Bit of flatland.
24:20Oh, my God.
24:21You see that?
24:21It's a rock.
24:24How do they survive on this landscape?
24:27To start off with it, it was actually quite a variety of terrain.
24:30Mm-hm.
24:30But it's now just flattened out into a vast steppe.
24:34I have not seen one tree since 8 o'clock this morning.
24:37Wake me up if anything interesting happens.
24:40I think you're pretty safe.
24:50On the edge of the Karakum Desert lies Kiva,
24:57a gateway for Silk Road traders to rest and recover
25:01before facing the vast sands of Central Asia.
25:05Within it lies Itchen Kala,
25:07a maze of narrow streets and blue-tiled minarets
25:10enclosed by towering clay walls,
25:13still perfectly preserved today.
25:16Oh, look at this.
25:18Molly, wow.
25:20You OK?
25:21Just a bit fed up.
25:23I just feel like we've taxied this whole...
25:26Yeah, I know, I know, I know.
25:27...journey and...
25:28Andrew and Molly's city stopover
25:30has cost more than a day and a half's race budget
25:33on taxis alone,
25:35a modern reminder of just how remote
25:37this outpost is to reach.
25:40Kiva.
25:41Yep, it's just lovely.
25:43Eventually got here, but...
25:45Honestly, very deflated.
25:47Very deflated.
25:48Kind of...
25:49Annoyed.
25:53Of course, there's a lot of money to get here.
25:55And we're going to have to spend
25:57and probably want to get out of here
25:58more than likely.
26:00Or...
26:01We just sacrificed the race.
26:04It's something I wanted to do,
26:07and...
26:07It's not worked out very well.
26:11So I've got a guilt with that.
26:16You all right?
26:18I'm not fed up.
26:20Sorry.
26:22Yeah, do you want to...
26:23We go for a walk?
26:24Have a bit of...
26:25Us time.
26:27I'd love to go for a walk.
26:28All right, kid, yeah?
26:28Like that last.
26:29You OK?
26:29Yeah.
26:30Go on a walk.
26:34It is stunning, isn't it?
26:36Kind of like Aladdin.
26:38It is.
26:38It is absolutely Aladdin.
26:40Yeah.
26:41Just look at it.
26:41It's amazing.
26:42It is crazy.
26:44I don't really know why I'm upset.
26:46I'm trying to prove myself
26:48that I'm independent,
26:49but I really do overthink things.
26:52I'm always kind of going,
26:53oh, could I have done that better?
26:54Could I have gotten it for cheaper?
26:56Where's the best place to see it, Molly?
26:58Up on the walls, no?
27:02Oh, wow.
27:04That's beautiful.
27:08I wish I could stand on my decisions with pride.
27:13Beautiful, beautiful spot, man.
27:15Amazing.
27:16But I'm scared of negatively affecting people,
27:18and with this race, it's daddy.
27:21I don't want to disappoint him.
27:24That's lovely, actually.
27:26I probably need to trust my God.
27:28I know that is within my power.
27:31So I think this is what I need to do from now on in.
27:36It is beautiful.
27:37Happy we did it.
27:38Good call, all right, Molly?
27:42But do you think it's fascinating,
27:43I always find it,
27:44is that, like,
27:44the sun goes down,
27:45and it always comes back up again.
27:47I know.
27:47Yeah, no matter what your day is like, at least.
27:49It'll come up tomorrow, yeah?
27:50That's the thing.
27:51I think that's what we need to think about.
27:53We need to think about it, yeah.
27:54Kind of a nice round-up.
27:57Tomorrow will be a better day.
27:59Yeah.
28:05The noise!
28:07Oh, look at that colour.
28:08That's beautiful.
28:09It is lovely, isn't it?
28:11In Kazakhstan,
28:12after more than a day's travel...
28:14This us, Kuzlodha?
28:16Yo, Joe, is this us?
28:17Joe.
28:19Oh.
28:20Joe and Kush and Mark and Margot
28:22alight in Kizilorda,
28:24more than halfway to the checkpoint.
28:27We need a hotel.
28:30Should we try and find our fella?
28:31See if he's here.
28:33To bed in with Kazakh culture...
28:35Bigzat, my name.
28:36Bigzat, Kush.
28:38Lovely to meet you, my friend.
28:39Joe and Kush have arranged a homestay
28:41with local businessman Bigzat and his family.
28:45Wow.
28:45We've got a very nice place, you know.
28:47Welcome to my house.
28:50This is my family.
28:53Hello.
28:54This is my father, my mother.
28:56As-salamu alaykum.
28:57Walaikum salam.
29:00In Kazakh tradition,
29:02the national dish of Beshbermak
29:04is served on special occasions.
29:07It's sharing platter,
29:08a symbol of unity and hospitality.
29:24It's so good.
29:25Mmm.
29:26Tastes amazing.
29:27What's the name of the world?
29:29What's the name of the world?
29:29What's the name of the world?
29:30Oh, sport?
29:32What's the name of the world?
29:32Me, basketball.
29:34Oh, yeah.
29:34And, of course, Thai boxing.
29:36Oh.
29:37Thai boxing?
29:38Thai boxing.
29:38Judo.
29:39Judo.
29:40Judo.
29:43Judo.
29:44My father, he fight Muay Thai.
29:47Me, Muay Thai.
29:48Father?
29:48Father.
29:49Father.
29:50My biological dad passed away when I was one.
29:54My mum was alone with me and my older brother.
29:57And she met my dad slash stepdad, Matt.
30:01He was a fighter.
30:02He's coached me and my brother for as long as I can remember.
30:06Muay Thai, Thai boxing.
30:07I will be Thai.
30:08As a kid, I remember doing pads in the garden.
30:11That's a big one.
30:12He'd do round the pads with us
30:14and then make us do press-ups while the other one does the pads.
30:17Even though we're not blood,
30:19he never once shied away from treating me as his own.
30:26So, growing up with him as someone strong to look up to you,
30:30it means the world.
30:32Your medals.
30:32Your medals.
30:36Bro, what are you saying?
30:38Champion.
30:40Number one?
30:41Champion.
30:42Goodbye.
30:44There's a language barrier,
30:45but I can sort of relate to the journey that they've grown up with,
30:49watching Daredad and being inspired to then pursue the same passion.
30:54Hey!
30:55You've done this.
30:56You know Muay Thai.
30:57I think this guy's got a lovely family.
30:58It's so lovely all of it.
30:59It's so sweet.
31:08In Uzbekistan.
31:09Taxi.
31:10Taxi.
31:11Train station.
31:13Train.
31:15English.
31:17Ah, I meant the choo-choo noise.
31:20Train.
31:21Choo-choo.
31:22Poise.
31:23Poise.
31:24Poise.
31:24Poise.
31:25It works out.
31:26OK, thank you.
31:28No time to mess around with half-assed train noises.
31:32We're in a race.
31:33Having spent the night in Nukas,
31:36Katie and Harrison are bound 550 kilometres southeast
31:39to the medieval city, Bukhara.
31:43Going to go travelling all day.
31:44You can't really ask for much more.
31:47To the south in Kiva.
31:49Train to Bukhara?
31:50Andrew and Molly have the same idea.
31:53Two.
31:53Is that the earliest?
31:54There's no earlier one?
31:57Molly, the earliest is two.
31:59It's half ten now,
32:00and it's going to be a long wait.
32:01The taxis?
32:03How much?
32:04Yeah, it's 50 quid.
32:05It's going to cost double the money
32:06to get the taxi.
32:07This leg, we've taxied a lot.
32:09I think I'd rather prioritise budget
32:11getting to Bukhara.
32:12Bukhara.
32:13So where?
32:13Train's better.
32:14Train's best.
32:15Yeah, that's a good call, yeah.
32:17I need two tickets to Bukhara.
32:20I'm feeling very good
32:21and much better today.
32:23The last couple of legs,
32:24I've realised that being last
32:25hasn't been a hindrance.
32:26Paris and Katie were ten hours behind us,
32:29and sure, they've got the same train
32:30all that's out of here.
32:31So I think really,
32:32in the next coming legs,
32:33it's not going to matter.
32:35If we can just stay in the game,
32:37stay as close as possible.
32:38Appreciate it.
32:39Thanks very much.
32:40There's no point won in the first couple.
32:42You only want to win one.
32:44So we keep telling ourselves.
32:47Five hundred and sixty kilometres away
32:49in southern Kazakhstan.
32:51You can see some of that Soviet architecture,
32:54isn't it?
32:54Two teams wake up in Kizilorda.
32:59In the 1920s,
33:01it was the Soviet capital,
33:02owing to its strategic position
33:04on the Tashkent railway line.
33:07Well, workers unite.
33:08Look at that.
33:09That's rather good, that.
33:10Circuit propaganda, isn't it?
33:12It's very strong and dramatic.
33:14As Mark and Margot head out of the city
33:17to reach their homestay...
33:18Horses!
33:20Come on, Margot.
33:21Want to go to sleep?
33:27So cool.
33:28Joe and Kush have the opportunity
33:30to explore their host, Bekzat's dojo.
33:34Salam alaykum.
33:39Definitely a random experience.
33:41They were due, though,
33:42in the middle of Kazakhstan.
33:47Kush has been starved from his Muay Thai.
33:50It was nice to see him
33:51let off some steam.
33:56Come to this gym,
33:57it means a lot to me.
33:58It's more than just
34:00throwing and hitting and fighting.
34:02There's a lot of meaning behind it.
34:06I think back to memories
34:08with my dad.
34:08I found it sick
34:10to do what your dad does.
34:12Being in the gym,
34:13I wonder what he'd be thinking.
34:15The beast standing on the side
34:16with, like, a particular sort of smirk
34:18on his face
34:19watching me do judo throws.
34:26I remember the day
34:27he passed.
34:29It was locked down
34:30and it was a real big shock.
34:33He had really poor mental health
34:34and he took his own life.
34:41And you never sort of forget that
34:43that shock factor.
34:50I still think about him
34:52all the time.
34:54Being on this journey,
34:55it's brought me little moments of
34:57be boss to tell him.
35:01And I wish,
35:02I really wish
35:02I could sort of show him
35:05who I am now.
35:07Because when you're 14,
35:08it's like,
35:09I didn't know who I was
35:10and I was still a child.
35:13And I made a lot of mistakes
35:15when I was younger.
35:16And I feel like
35:16if I could sort of
35:18show him what I've learned.
35:32Losing Kush's dad,
35:34it was so sudden.
35:36I think
35:37experiencing them
35:39hardships,
35:41like,
35:41so unexpectedly,
35:43it has affected
35:44Kush's personality.
35:45He wants to stay
35:47in control of himself.
35:49You know,
35:50he doesn't,
35:50he's never drank,
35:51he's never got drunken before,
35:53doesn't smoke,
35:54doesn't do anything
35:56without checking safety
35:57twice.
35:59Because it was such a shock,
36:00I guess he doesn't want
36:01anything like that
36:02to happen again.
36:06I'm very grateful
36:07we're doing the race
36:08together.
36:11Like,
36:12we can literally
36:12go to each other
36:13for anything.
36:14We just need to get
36:14to the extent.
36:15Hopefully we can
36:16go to some work,
36:17keeping the budget healthy.
36:19I'm always there for Kush,
36:20and I know
36:21he's always there
36:22for me as well.
36:23Who's Turkestan?
36:25Oh,
36:25perfect.
36:26Sick.
36:29Goodbye.
36:29Ahmed, goodbye.
36:30Goodbye.
36:32Check the jobs directory.
36:34There's a job
36:35saving food
36:36at this plaza.
36:37That looks sick.
36:39That would be boss.
36:41as Joe and Kush
36:42push on south
36:43in search of work.
36:47Across the border
36:48in Uzbekistan.
36:49It's tight now.
36:50I don't know how
36:50you're going to do this,
36:51boy.
36:52Andrew and Molly
36:53are finally on their
36:54seven-hour train journey
36:55to Bukhara.
36:56I don't know.
36:57I don't know.
37:00Batman's on top.
37:04Heading the same way.
37:06How is it?
37:07This is scary,
37:08but kind of cool.
37:09This is what I've been
37:10wanting to do
37:11this whole time.
37:12Katie and Harrison.
37:13I feel like
37:14this is an
37:15out-of-body experience,
37:17looking at a desert
37:18outside of a sleeper train wreck.
37:19Yeah.
37:20I just never thought
37:20I'd be here.
37:22I'm really pleased
37:23with how we're racing so far.
37:24We spent a good day
37:26in Nukas,
37:26but then got out there
37:27as soon as we reasonably could,
37:29and now we're nine hours
37:30on the move to Bukhara.
37:31He couldn't ask
37:32for much more, really.
37:34My name is Faisal.
37:36Faisal?
37:36Harrison.
37:37What's your name?
37:37Harrison.
37:38Nice to meet you.
37:39Katie,
37:41where are you from?
37:42Where did you come from?
37:44I'm from Uzbekistan.
37:45We're from
37:48Manchester.
37:49Manchester United.
37:51Football, come on.
37:53Ah, yeah.
37:54Kuzanov.
37:55Ah, Manchester City.
37:56Yes, Uzbekistan,
37:57the centre-back.
37:58Must be quite good
37:59for the famous
38:00Manchester City.
38:01If you said to me
38:02five years ago
38:03that you'd be travelling
38:04across the world
38:05and seeing these places,
38:07I wouldn't have believed you.
38:08I'm obviously
38:09a world away from home,
38:12but I don't feel it.
38:14Before the race,
38:15I certainly wouldn't be
38:15going up to speaking to people,
38:18but I think it's become
38:18a second nature now.
38:20It is very lovely
38:21to meet you two.
38:22You have been very kind.
38:24It's the bit that I
38:25kind of dread,
38:25but it's always
38:26the experience
38:27I get the most out of
38:28and I'll come away
38:29thinking just
38:30how wonderful
38:31everyone is.
38:32This is a gift
38:33from me to you.
38:33It is very precious to me
38:34because it's my first
38:35achievement in Nookhurst.
38:37Oh, no, no, no, no.
38:39You sure?
38:40Oh, oh.
38:43Oh, it's a medal.
38:44Oh, half marathon.
38:46Oh.
38:46Oh, running.
38:48I have run a half marathon
38:50two in Manchester.
38:51I can send you my medal
38:53if you would like it.
38:55My name is Faisal Love.
38:56Faisal Love.
38:57My name is Harrison.
39:01We are friends.
39:07Hello.
39:09They're lovely, aren't they?
39:12Would you like to get
39:13on one ride?
39:14Not particularly.
39:16In Kentau,
39:18just outside
39:18the city of Turkestan,
39:21Mark and Margot
39:23have made it
39:23to the horse farm
39:24run by Kularnish
39:26and his family.
39:29OK.
39:31There's one job
39:32you've got to do
39:32is shovel sit.
39:34This is very ripe.
39:37Mocking in
39:37in exchange
39:38for bed and board.
39:40Give me a wheelbarrow.
39:41I'm fine.
39:41Absolutely fine.
39:45I love wheelbarrows.
39:47Essential to survival,
39:49horses have long
39:50sustained life
39:50on the steppe
39:51as transport,
39:53the source of
39:54kumas,
39:55a fermented
39:55mare's milk
39:56and has a vital
39:57food source.
39:58Mum loves horses.
40:00My grandad loved horses.
40:02Oh, gosh.
40:03Your grandad was a...
40:04My great-grandad.
40:05Great-grandad was a horse
40:06trader, wasn't he?
40:07Hello.
40:07Yes.
40:08So,
40:09what will we do
40:10with the horses?
40:12Meat.
40:13Oh, they're meat?
40:14They're meat.
40:14You eat bees?
40:15Oh, Lord.
40:18My dream has turned
40:19into a nightmare.
40:21Good taste of reality,
40:22isn't it?
40:25When I thought
40:26about the Kazakh horses,
40:27I just thought of them
40:28running wild,
40:29excitedly over the fields
40:30or something.
40:31Hello.
40:33Are we all right?
40:34I didn't really associate
40:36it with the reality
40:37of it's a major
40:39food source
40:39and that is
40:40reality of the way
40:41of life.
40:42But I want to be
40:43open-minded,
40:43but sometimes
40:44my mind just
40:46doesn't want
40:46to go there.
40:47Poor fella.
40:50I'm not as
40:50squeamish as
40:51Margot is.
40:53Of course,
40:54it's human life,
40:54isn't it?
40:55We eat animals.
40:57Light's gone,
40:58hasn't it,
40:58now?
40:59Right,
40:59let's go.
41:02I'm here,
41:02am I?
41:03I'm the head
41:04of the table.
41:05There we go.
41:06To welcome
41:06their guests,
41:07the family has
41:08prepared a traditional
41:09meal.
41:10It's like a banquet.
41:11I feel like a king,
41:13Margot.
41:16Oh, gosh.
41:18Oh, thank you
41:20very much.
41:21Look at that.
41:22That goat?
41:23Meeh.
41:25Ram's head.
41:26Ram's head.
41:28Ah.
41:29For guests
41:29of honour.
41:30Wow, look at that.
41:33Oh, Lord.
41:35Oh, Lord.
41:35What is this?
41:37Oh.
41:40It might feel
41:41impolite
41:41not to accept it.
41:43Okay,
41:44I'll try a bit of that.
41:45Okay.
41:49Do you like it?
41:50It tastes
41:51of succulent lamb,
41:52yes.
41:54I'm enjoying this route.
41:55I am enjoying it,
41:56but it's not been
41:57everything I'd hoped for.
41:59It was a bit of a surprise,
42:01really.
42:02I don't know why.
42:02I think my fairy tale thinking
42:05got me into another fine mess.
42:08And what's that?
42:09I don't know.
42:10Meat.
42:12Mark,
42:13this is why I brought you
42:14on the race.
42:15I'm taking one for the team.
42:17Hi, hello.
42:18Hello.
42:19They are all happy
42:20to see you in our home.
42:23Oh, she gave me such a hug.
42:24She gave me a hug.
42:30A wonderful family.
42:31It's been a real joy
42:32meeting them.
42:33This raised my spirits.
42:35We have gifts
42:36for you.
42:37Oh, my goodness.
42:40Oh, my God.
42:46Someone like
42:46how I would imagine
42:47people from the
42:48ex-Soviet Union to be.
42:50Yeah.
42:53You always see
42:54images in the West
42:55of them being
42:55very dour and grumpy.
42:57This is not the case here.
42:59Neither.
43:01Yes.
43:02These are vibrant,
43:04exciting,
43:04lovely people
43:06with big hearts.
43:08This is my wife.
43:09This is Julia.
43:10The brochure that I carry
43:12with me,
43:12the celebration
43:13of Julia's life.
43:14So beautiful.
43:15She is beautiful.
43:16She is very, very beautiful.
43:17It really is an eye-opener
43:18of how we should
43:20actually treat fellow humans.
43:21Amazing.
43:22The Kazakh way.
43:24Your treasures.
43:25Absolute treasures.
43:27Thank you very much.
43:29Night-night.
43:29Night-night.
43:30Isn't that lovely?
43:31Mm-hmm.
43:32Oh.
43:32That was an incredible night.
43:34It was.
43:35Not what I expected.
43:36For a while there,
43:37back at the farm,
43:39I was like...
43:39I know,
43:40you were very down,
43:41weren't you,
43:41about the farm?
43:41I was, I was,
43:43yeah, but...
43:43They've opened their hearts
43:44and home to us,
43:45absolutely.
43:45We could feel it.
43:46It was so genuine,
43:47wasn't it?
43:48This homestay,
43:49it hasn't been about horses,
43:50it's been about humans,
43:50it's been about families,
43:51it's been communities,
43:52and that's what's been
43:53so wonderful about it.
43:54Absolutely.
43:5940 kilometres south,
44:01in the centre of Turkestan.
44:04Getting ourselves dressed up.
44:05For the first time in a long time.
44:07I like a smart, casual fit,
44:09you know what I mean?
44:11Joe and Kush are bolstering
44:12their funds with a shift
44:13at a luxury events venue.
44:16I wonder what celebration is for.
44:18Today's celebration is called
44:20A circumcision party.
44:22Sick.
44:29The Kazakh tradition
44:31of sundet toy.
44:34A celebration of every boy's journey
44:37towards manhood.
44:38Wow, these gifts are lavish for...
44:40This is a really big deal.
44:43And an opportunity for families
44:45to display their wealth
44:46by spending big on lavish banquets
44:49and entertainers.
44:51I've never been anywhere like this.
44:53My team was in a church,
44:54it was quiet,
44:55it was family and friends,
44:56and these guys,
44:57they're getting handed wads of cash.
45:10Oh my God,
45:11there's an eagle?
45:12Wow, look at that.
45:14Imagine getting an eagle
45:15in your party, bro.
45:16That would be lit.
45:17Hello.
45:18Nice to meet you.
45:19My name is Nazgud.
45:20Nazgud?
45:20Yes.
45:21Kush.
45:21It's nice to meet you.
45:22Yo, I'm so beautiful.
45:27I love the outfits.
45:29Okay, thank you.
45:31We will watch.
45:32We will watch.
45:33Yes, okay.
45:34Bye-bye.
45:36Your eyes are so beautiful.
45:39Give me one minute.
45:41I'm...
45:42I'm...
45:42I'm...
45:43I'm...
45:46This job has been...
45:49lively, shall I say.
45:50We wanted that randomness,
45:52we wanted to experience new things.
45:54I think this has ticked both of them boxes.
45:57I don't know,
45:58I was just blown away
45:59that this type of thing is happening
46:00around the world.
46:02Like, yeah, it was a celebration of these two lads getting a circumcision, but I feel like
46:07it was...
46:08It uplifted everyone in that moment.
46:10We were like...
46:11Yeah, yeah, yeah.
46:13So, I said, come find me after you finish dancing.
46:16It's sick.
46:17It's very easy.
46:18It's confidance.
46:19It's very easy.
46:20It's the best job.
46:22Oh, my God.
46:23It's mine and Joe's calling, you know what I mean?
46:25We've been talking to everyone.
46:26Everything's so nice.
46:28It's really made me so thankful that I listened to Joe,
46:31and we decided to go through Kazakhstan.
46:33I mean, it's such a beautiful country.
46:35It's got so much heart.
46:36Trying to learn to enjoy the moment a lot more,
46:38trying not to think so much about the future or the past.
46:40You've just got to take it all in your stride
46:42and enjoy it as much as you can,
46:43and today's been so enjoyable.
46:46Have you seen the mother?
46:48She's fine.
46:50She's...
47:05Oh, Harrison, you look bonita.
47:10Orange is your colour.
47:11Having arrived last night...
47:13Do you want to get moving?
47:14We've been racing pretty hard this leg.
47:16We do have time.
47:17We can go and have a wander around.
47:19Katie and Harrison are exploring Bukhara.
47:25Another key stop on the Silk Road.
47:27It was a centre for Islamic theology.
47:29Unlike the stillness of Kiva,
47:32it remains a city where ancient madrasses,
47:35centres of higher learning,
47:37sit alongside a modern working city.
47:40A stunning mosque.
47:42Incredible, isn't it?
47:43At its centre, the 500-year-old Kalyan Mosque.
47:47So, have you got a scarf?
47:53Incredible. What a bit of craftsmanship.
47:56You don't see that on a new build in Manchester here.
47:59It's grand arches and geometric detail
48:02designed to evoke a sense of harmony and balance.
48:06Katie, you stand right in the middle.
48:09The symmetry of that.
48:11Maybe that's why you like it so much here,
48:14cos everything is symmetrical.
48:16It is.
48:18Shall we go and get some food?
48:20Yeah.
48:21I'm starving.
48:26I'm starving.
48:29I want to have done this a few years ago.
48:31Yeah, you used to be really boring,
48:33so it's just good that you're not letting yourself miss out
48:36on these types of experiences.
48:39Really boring's a bit harsh.
48:41You're quite boring.
48:43Without the race,
48:44I wouldn't have allowed myself to go travelling
48:46to see these things in person.
48:48It's not in the plan I set out for myself
48:50at 17, 18 years old.
48:54My priorities in life have been to save money,
48:57get on the property ladder as soon as I can.
48:59If that's all sorted,
49:01then I think it takes away a lot of the worries and stresses
49:03that I saw our family grew up with.
49:06We're good.
49:07We struggled a little bit financially.
49:09There was a lot of moving.
49:11I think I've lived in maybe 14 different houses.
49:14I've loaned money to my family from the age of 16
49:17since I started working.
49:19Kind of like the Bank of Harrison
49:20rather than Bank of Mum and Dad.
49:24The stresses of financially not always having enough,
49:27that's what shaped me to be
49:29so financially motivated and secure.
49:32But I think my mindset on that
49:34is definitely starting to shift.
49:36I have a bill here.
49:38Is it as much as you thought?
49:40Service charge.
49:42What?
49:42Service charge.
49:44Well, it was very good service, to be fair.
49:46It was.
49:47Right.
49:48Well, the tourist information centre over there
49:49get taxis there to Zamin.
49:53Yeah.
49:54Poised just 430 kilometres from Zamin...
49:57Sorry, do you have any English?
49:59..the two teams in Bukhara
50:01set about securing onward transport.
50:04We are trying to get to Zamin National Park
50:09to strike out towards the checkpoint.
50:13Do you know what I mean?
50:14How much?
50:15$100.
50:16No.
50:17We are on a small budget.
50:19Is there a...
50:20No problem.
50:21We don't care about a good car.
50:22We have cheap.
50:23It's...
50:23No?
50:24No.
50:26Finish.
50:26Low, low, low.
50:27No.
50:27Finish.
50:28Okay.
50:29Give me one minute.
50:30Okay, thank you.
50:32It's a killer on the budget.
50:35But we are last.
50:37We need to catch up.
50:38If you're happy with spending it, then that's fine.
50:41Yeah, we go to Zamin, yeah?
50:43Okay.
50:44It's very clean cars, to be fair.
50:47Oh, God, it's gorgeous in there.
50:50As Katie and Harrison, as well as Andrew and Molly,
50:53plot a route east through Uzbekistan...
50:56The priority for today is to cross the border into Uzbekistan.
51:00The two teams in Kazakhstan are ready to approach from the north.
51:04I feel like the tactics are quickest for sure.
51:06I think we should just try and flag one down here.
51:09Once across the border, it's a final push to Zamin
51:13as the routes converge and the pack comes together.
51:17We're going to Uzbekistan.
51:19So fasten your seatbelt.
51:21We'll be in checkpoint in no time.
51:25Wrong way, bro.
51:27He's taken a wrong turn.
51:28He's been told to make a U-turn, but he keeps thinking,
51:30and he's smarter.
51:32Uzbekistan, this way.
51:36He doesn't know he's gone.
51:38Oh, my days.
51:40Presume he knows it's the Uzbekistan border.
51:50It should be fine.
51:52We'll get there.
51:53Don't stress.
52:03High in the mountains on Uzbekistan's eastern edge,
52:07the fifth checkpoint.
52:09Zamin!
52:13It's very dramatic, isn't it?
52:14You like a national park, don't you?
52:16No, I do.
52:17Sort of.
52:18Uzbekistan version of Wales.
52:20Poised and ready to go,
52:22the national park opens
52:23and the teams embark on the final push-by taxi.
52:28This is the bit that I love, but it also stresses me out.
52:31I can't wait to get going.
52:33Get me out of this taxi and ready to run.
52:34Within the Zamin Mountains, the Sufa Plateau,
52:39known for its distinct flat, high plains and cool, thin mountain air.
52:50Find the amphitheatre and the way for other instructions.
52:53The amphitheatre.
52:58No idea where it could be.
53:01Amphitheatre.
53:02Is it a man-made amphitheatre?
53:05Over there.
53:06Look.
53:10Looks to be that up there.
53:11Yeah, that's in the opera house kind of thing.
53:13Zamin Amphitheatre,
53:15standing nearly 2,500 metres above sea level.
53:20It needs to work for us, eh?
53:24Jesus, it's dry up here.
53:25Yeah, it's dry up here.
53:27You OK?
53:28Just a sec.
53:29My legs are wobbly.
53:31The altitude has just killed me.
53:35Keep going.
53:35Doing well.
53:36Don't go too fast, Mark.
53:37I did take my inhaler.
53:38I'm working very slowly.
53:39I might have another go with the inhaler.
53:42I'm in now.
53:43Physical state to run.
53:46You want some water?
53:47No, I'm OK with water, mate.
53:48Your heart's pounding, but...
53:49We're all right.
53:52Altitude running's not what I meant to do.
53:56Almost there.
53:58Seating.
53:59Stage.
54:00Yeah, amphitheatre.
54:03You're all the impressive structure.
54:06Travel by cable car to the lower station.
54:11Travel to the cable car!
54:14I love an echo.
54:15Yes.
54:16There's a cable car.
54:18Cable car.
54:20Oh, wait.
54:21That is a cable car.
54:22Oh, it's over there.
54:23I can see it.
54:23I can see the two lines down.
54:25Yeah, cable car.
54:26It's actually here.
54:28I think we've got it the wrong way, Mark.
54:30If it's far to go, I'm just going to have to have a rest.
54:33Get in front of all the cute people.
54:34Come on.
54:37It's a lot more than two people.
54:39140,000.
54:40Just keep the ticket.
54:43Get on.
54:44Get on.
54:44Get on.
54:44Get on.
54:49Oh.
54:52Oh, my God.
54:56Oh, look at this.
54:57This is crazy.
54:59Jesus Christ.
54:59Oh, my.
55:00Oh, my God.
55:03Oh, my God.
55:04Bollywood going vertical.
55:05Woods.
55:05Oh, my God.
55:06Madiuna.
55:07It's insane.
55:09This is sick.
55:11So nice to see a hill.
55:18Where do you think the other teams are?
55:20Imagine if they're just in the cable car line.
55:23It's going to be hilarious.
55:24That'd be so good.
55:26Oh, my days.
55:27Wow.
55:30Oh, right.
55:33Find the checkpoint hotel and sign in.
55:36Hotel.
55:36Hotel.
55:37What's this?
55:38Hotel is?
55:39It's here.
55:40Time hotel is.
55:41Oh, there's two.
55:43The checkpoint hotel is a little bit vague, isn't it?
55:47That looks like a hotel, no?
55:49Let's try it.
55:52I have no idea if that's a checkpoint hotel.
55:55Yeah, it still looks nice.
56:00Reception?
56:00Reception.
56:03Better be it.
56:07I don't see a book.
56:11I think it's the wrong hotel.
56:14Welcome to Zemindor Resort.
56:16Please sign in.
56:18There you go.
56:20What the hell?
56:22Yes!
56:23What?
56:24We're back.
56:24We're back.
56:25We're back.
56:26Oh, my God.
56:28Sign.
56:29No.
56:32I'm so happy to be back in first place.
56:35I think transport lined up really quickly.
56:37Just try to go the direct way through and it works.
56:40Confidence restored that we are now to race.
56:44Boss!
56:44Oh, I'm so happy.
56:47Salam, my hijo.
56:48Let's do this.
56:50Oh, no.
56:52What?
56:53That is so impressive.
56:55They might have done that.
56:56I'm like, last to first.
56:58The fact Harrison and Katie got here before us does kind of show that Uzbekistan was the
57:02quicker route.
57:04But I'm still not regretting going through Kazakhstan.
57:06We have had the best experiences.
57:08Boom.
57:09Hopefully, we're going to stay consistent near the top and then on the last leg do that
57:13little sprint to the end.
57:15Third!
57:19Third time being third, but very pleased about it.
57:22Thought we were not going to do as well as what we did.
57:25Oh, Molly.
57:26That was a tough week.
57:27That was very tough.
57:28That was a tough week.
57:29Pure, utter relief.
57:30Journey to Kiva kind of nearly broke us.
57:33I really struggled this leg and I'm so pleased everything worked.
57:36Yeah.
57:38That's the entrance.
57:38Just there.
57:39Up on top?
57:40Yeah.
57:41I'm not walking any further till you're certain we've got it.
57:43We're just going up a fire escape.
57:45Come on up, Margot.
57:47Good evening, please.
57:48Sign in.
57:50Yes, we're fourth.
57:50Fourth.
57:51Yeah.
57:52Well, look at that.
57:52Katie and Harrison are back in the lead again.
57:55Katie and Harrison have had it a lot of times.
57:57Move over.
57:58Let someone share the throne.
58:00Boring.
58:01We'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.
58:09Let's do it.
58:15Margot, the car's coming.
58:17Woo-hoo-hoo.
58:19Let's go.
58:20Yes, let's go.
58:21This leg.
58:22I'm letting Monica go over.
58:23Your daughter.
58:24She did so a great job.
58:26Mark and I are fourth and we have got to race.
58:28This could be a white knuckle ride.
58:31Oh, I'm so stressed.
58:33I 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 in Kyrgyzstan.
58:41This isn't real.
58:43I feel like I'm in a painting.
58:44Woo-hoo!
58:49What are you doing, man?
58:50I'm on a horse in Kyrgyzstan.
58:50I'm on a horse in Kyrgyzstan.
58:50I'm on a horse in Kyrgyzstan.
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