Think you have what it takes to conquer the globe? Race Across the World Season 6 drops its fifth electrifying episode, and the competition is fiercer than ever! Follow the remaining teams as they navigate treacherous terrains and push their limits in a desperate bid for the finish line.
This week's journey is packed with unexpected twists and turns. Watch as contestants grapple with challenging eliminations and make critical decisions that could change their fate. The pressure is mounting, and alliances are being tested as they race against time and each other.
Prepare for breathtaking landscapes and nail-biting challenges. Who will master the art of travel and emerge victorious? Don't miss out on the drama and adventure that only Race Across the World can deliver.
#RaceAcrossTheWorld #TravelCompetition #Season6
This week's journey is packed with unexpected twists and turns. Watch as contestants grapple with challenging eliminations and make critical decisions that could change their fate. The pressure is mounting, and alliances are being tested as they race against time and each other.
Prepare for breathtaking landscapes and nail-biting challenges. Who will master the art of travel and emerge victorious? Don't miss out on the drama and adventure that only Race Across the World can deliver.
#RaceAcrossTheWorld #TravelCompetition #Season6
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Short filmTranscript
00:25It's got a mix of different styles of architecture.
00:36Halfway into the 12,000 kilometre race to Mongolia, all four teams gather in Georgia's capital.
00:53Despite all the buildings been so old, it's a very young city.
00:56It's such a street vibe to it, isn't it? There's a sculpture or something, isn't there?
01:01Oh, yeah, what is that?
01:02In the heart of Tbilisi, the Tamada or Toastmaster.
01:07Is he singing a song or is he having a drink? Are you enjoying that? Tasty.
01:10A symbol of hospitality for nearly 3,000 years, embodying the Georgian belief that every guest is a gift from
01:19God.
01:19Hello. Hello, 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.
01:31I 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. As they prepare to cross a changing landscape, the leaderboard
01:44also shifts.
01:46Mark 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.
01:56Oh, bottom's terrible. Like, 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 in one or the other.
02:08We've proved we can win a leg. Actually, we've stumbled into winning a leg.
02:13We'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, it is not possible for the race to continue
02:24over land.
02:25You must fly to Akhtau, Kazakhstan.
02:28Wow!
02:29Yeah.
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.
02:43Keepers.
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.
02:58I can't believe I'm going to Kazakhstan. It just feels mental.
03:01I don't know what to expect. I literally couldn't tell you.
03:04I don't know what these countries are like for English, but I can't imagine that you're going to rock up
03:07and go like,
03:08You all right, bro? Do you know what I mean?
03:11Very much feels like the unknown now.
03:29But there's a problem now.
03:29My inspiration is very powerful.
03:35How�为 highly?
03:35I have a deepness of the Central Society, we have a deepened with the forcesится
03:35of the nation's own ability.
03:35Take care.ài
03:432- K
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 after their flight from Georgia the four teams
03:55have touched down in Akhtal
04:03set between desert and sea a Soviet-era city engineered solely for industry this
04:11is the gateway to Kazakhstan the world's largest landlocked country one of vast
04:20horizons and challenging landscapes that have shaped a culture of both endurance
04:25and generosity it looks good here though look at that see just for miles I've been
04:34a prairie race leaders mark and Margo are the first to depart your fifth
04:39checkpoint is Zamin National Park ooh that'll be glorious
04:46Zamin Uzbekistan well found Margo a journey of around 2,200 kilometers into the
04:55soaring peaks of Zamin National Park part of the Turkestan mountain range and nicknamed
05:04the Uzbek Switzerland it's alpine meadows and hidden valleys shelter rare birds links and
05:11Siberian ibex home to some of Central Asia's most dramatic scenery a contrast to the arid plains that
05:19lead here whoa the roots gonna be wild getting there I think I think so I mean you could go
05:25around this
05:25way via Kazakhstan that is considerably longer I think the best way to go to
05:30Uzbekistan go through Uzbekistan yeah that's the most direct route isn't it for their longest leg yet the
05:36teams must choose between two countries they can make an early crossing into
05:41Uzbekistan following ancient Silk Road routes through bustling cities shorter in
05:48distance but transport may be less reliable or they can stay in Kazakhstan tracking Northeast across
05:55remote lands dotted with Soviet era settlements all connected by a 16,000 kilometer railway network
06:04that offers slower but steadier travel we've only just got to Kazakhstan I'd like to see more I think
06:11he's coming very much like this you know quite boring visually hmm Kazakhstan sounds a bit like more
06:16crazy and wild like the Wild West hmm mark has had a lot of choices so far I've enjoyed the
06:23things
06:23we've done but we've made decisions that were right for him but as the races continues I've realized that
06:28I have to have my turn of choosing things so let's have a little look in the directory see what
06:32jobs are
06:33for an offer okay yes yes look at this mark look at that one the horse farm near Turkestan I
06:38love
06:39horses you do yeah do I'm not too keen on horses but I think Mongolian and Kazakhstan horses I think
06:46they're quite small so I might be okay with joyful horses yeah coming first I think we've got the
06:51chance to take risks even though it looks further to travel I feel it's going to be faster but I've
06:58got
06:58nothing to base it on it's a gamble yeah it's okay let's gamble and go to Kazakhstan roll the dice
07:03yeah we want to get to train station to keep the race on track the in-laws are planning a
07:09Kazakh
07:09adventure heading north east from Akhtau city by rail oh so do you speak English the train station
07:16I want one to you he will take me great yes yes yes oh thank you my name is Janice
07:25Genghis the man
07:28I'll go in the front with Genghis lovely welcome Kazakhstan look at this it is like the wild west mark
07:42look at this isn't it yeah train choo choo choo choo choo caspi sea mm-hmm oh caspi sea patom
07:51what's out no we want the station oh I think you want to show us the Caspian day yes caspi
07:57sea get a
07:58bit of a tour here I'm not sure about this Margot this is what we like adventure the adventure of
08:06a
08:06lifetime Kazakhstan 90 minutes behind there's a train route that goes straight through Kazakhstan I'm
08:13sick of buses Joe and Kush debate their options fingers though it's gonna take longer than it's
08:19worth in my opinion his best that looks way shorter number one priority is the race so I want to
08:25take
08:25the faster route regardless I can't lie in as wacky or I think overnight train will be sick an amazing
08:31experience I want to do Kazakhstan it's best I'm does look more efficient it does look quicker but
08:38I'm not thinking about efficiency I'm thinking about the experience oh because a lot down is this
08:43traveling through Kazakhstan yes oh bro so from 8 30 and tomorrow we can get from act out to
08:50kids loader one day five hours oh wow okay 29-hour train we're gonna cover so much distance by this
08:56one overnight let's go Kazakhstan clinching the argument for Joe the best friends have found a
09:03cross-country train leaving in the morning taking them a hugely beneficial 1400 kilometers deep into
09:10Kazakhstan 29-hour train is gonna be boss we are super super stoked tomorrow we are covering more
09:17distance than the length of the UK that could be sir that's PC Wow Caspian C let's see the Caspian
09:31C right now do spanning an area the size of Japan the Caspian Sea isn't a sea at all but
09:38the world's
09:38largest lake gorgeous didn't think we'll get to see this to do no I didn't five nations share its vast
09:46shoreline Turkmenistan Azerbaijan Russia Iran and Kazakhstan this is beautiful I am liking Kazakhstan
09:59so far already get a sense of the pride they've got in the country that's been Caspian sea yeah thank
10:06you without you we wouldn't have seen it station choo choo yes ticket ticket yeah what's he telling you
10:14oh 6 30 oh yeah so if we'd come straight out we could have yeah we might have done it
10:24yeah 8 30 tomorrow
10:25yes okay eyeing up the same long-distance train as Joe and Kush give me a long hard journey I
10:34think
10:34for us just zip it man this journey is going to be a triumph they will also need to wait
10:39until morning
10:40losing their lead before they've left Acta no matter what the consequences I'm glad we've done it
11:03thank you thank you my friend this is Koshni hey look at these more 8 30 in Acta I've just
11:13seen
11:14Mark and Margo did you yeah they're on the same dream yeah that's my BVM closed that gap looks
11:22like it's go down wow the efficiency leaving on time two teams set off on their long-haul train
11:31journey bound for the vastness of Kazakhstan it's gonna be interesting isn't it I'll ask me that in
11:3729 hours first carved over a century ago these Russian and Soviet tracks skirt the sparse Istured
11:46plateau outside some of the most remote terrain on earth inside the carriages are famed for their
11:56village-like community where the Kazakh spirit can turn strangers into family I have no clue what this
12:07game is to know it's called and how it works this guy just whips out the board and started pointing
12:13not
12:13a single word spoken yet oh oh yeah yeah you can't I know yeah I'm probably getting battered right
12:24now I don't know what the score is but it is fun just like interacting with someone in a different
12:29way oh wait you think he's shown me oh my god he won second in the championship oh my god
12:39you're
12:40playing with a master job it's the strangest sausage I've ever seen yes isn't it very old sausage right
12:48you're gonna have to help me with that no no got to eat it keep your strength up I was
12:53a vegetarian for
12:5420 years I'm becoming a vegetarian again not on this trip you won't be blokes over there of having
13:00vodka with their breakfast do you think we should get some vodka with our breakfast I am not having
13:04vodka with my breakfast no it must be a tradition a Kazakhstan tradition mark oh let's have a vodka no
13:10no no vodka first thing of all yeah I'm gonna ask if it's traditional okay okay you see I'm gonna
13:15ask
13:15about the culture what English no no no what was the name Margo Margo Margo Margo like my name is
13:25Sultan Sultan Sultan do you have vodka for breakfast is this usual this is a good tradition
13:46oh my god I'm having a great time yes hypnotized give me your vodka I give me your vodka mark
13:55you
13:55don't want to come round and join us no no I'm happy here sorry sorry sorry but oh I don't
14:02drink
14:02vodka at all really it's not my drink he wants to marry me does he no no no no no
14:07no you're a very
14:09naughty boy on trend Joe's I say I like to look out the window and see the landscape as two
14:22teams
14:22advance further into Kazakhstan look at that look that is just on the real as far as the eye can
14:30see
14:30nothing I turn silly but like you can see what people think there's this flat third to get going
14:38Andrew and Molly set out their plan I really want to do a city I love the idea of being
14:44in around
14:45people in culture Yubikistan is synonymous with the original Silk Road some of the most beautiful
14:51cities in the world I think that could be dead fun it'll be fun opting for a route east through
15:00Uzbekistan the pair set their sights on an ancient city Kiva all right yeah okay where's the train
15:11we're trying to go to Uzbekistan through Ben you yeah yes no no no determined to reach Uzbekistan
15:23today they must first make the five-hour trip to Benu aiming for an evening connection across the border
15:30how much to go to Ben you know I think we missed a train to Ben you where we know
15:36we would have got a
15:37connection to Uzbekistan so we're kind of racing the clock a bit because I really want to go to
15:43Kiva City 50 well yes guys willing to take us for $50 yes all right to Benu and we'll be
15:51there
15:51for four o'clock she's happy great I think we take it okay well you happy with us yeah yeah
15:59we need to
16:09get there no I really haven't a clue yeah we had agreed $50 and then his mates obviously got around
16:19them and decided that that wasn't the money to pay I don't want 100 I want 70 but Molly's
16:27isn't currently in negotiations with about 20 men that's okay yeah then goodbye goodbye you all right
16:32Molly there yeah she's holding her own so but we just have to wait and see 70 daddy he did
16:40for 70
16:41well done that was good right go stressful it means we get the connection tonight which is the main thing
16:52when's the last time you ever had something like that I've never had that before never Jesus Molly
16:56well done kid with Andrew and Molly finally on their way to Benu oh by the way we're still in
17:03Europe we're not in Europe we're in Asia Harrison Kazakhstan playing the euro qualifiers Katie and
17:09Harrison waste no time in doing the same I don't do continents I do football confederations
17:15we're going through Uzbekistan rather than over the top through Kazakhstan immediately it looks like
17:22the direct route chasing the same train as Andrew and Molly they look to move quickly across Uzbekistan
17:31we are 20 hours by first last leg we maxed out on experience but it did feel like we threw
17:37away
17:38three lengths worth of hard work I just don't want to sign in last again we're racing a lot more
17:44than
17:44the last leg but it is about balance whilst we're in these places we're going to try and experience as
17:50much as possible oh there's camels oh my god there's just camels in the middle of the road this is
17:57gonna be cool
18:01right let's go bye bye what time 48 and it goes to knock us okay next time tickets secured
18:17just like the front runners the bottom two teams are now neck and neck happy days are you getting this
18:25for dessert yeah yeah yeah yeah that's all sorted yeah right let's get on the train there is a race
18:34back on it's nice to know that we've caught with someone already I'm sure they're not happy to be
18:38with us because it means they've lost their lead on us there's no other train we could have got so
18:43we've got what we needed to do I'm not worried about who I can see yeah worried about who I
18:48can see
18:49exactly and if people are around us that means we're in the game if you have some bread I will
18:55have some of them I say but like Jesus bread water is no I am starving got no water no
19:03food
19:04but what we've been doing here is eat when you can because you don't know when you're going to eat
19:08next yeah the problem is it's not that hard to find food so every time I eat I've been eating
19:14like
19:14I'm not going to eat next 48 hours but realistically it's the next four to eight hours
19:35oh don't drink the water thanks not exactly the Orient Express
19:42.
19:43.
19:44,
19:45.
19:46.
19:47.
19:47.
19:48.
19:48.
19:49.
19:49.
19:49.
20:12As the 29-hour train pulls two teams further across Kazakhstan,
20:17their 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.
20:36Yet 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, man.
21:12What the?
21:14Wow.
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 faff.
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'd 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 of where we're stood.
21:50Some of them date back to 400 BC.
21:53None of the dinosaurs are out of town.
21:55Oh, my God.
21:58Are you serious?
22:00Where's the ticket office?
22:02Sorry!
22:03On the other side of town, at Nuku's Station...
22:07Sorry.
22:08Do you want to buy a ticket?
22:09Ticket?
22:10Andrew and Molly have their own plans to explore Uzbekistan.
22:14I am especially looking forward to Kiva City.
22:18I'd love to see the culture rather than going out to nature.
22:21Just more daddy-y thing.
22:23But yeah, that'd be lovely, actually.
22:25We're looking to get to Kiva City.
22:27When is the next train?
22:29About 5am every day.
22:31All right, thank you. Thank you.
22:33OK.
22:34Having missed another train...
22:35We seem to keep getting stuck.
22:38..they search for alternative transport.
22:40Hello.
22:41English.
22:42English.
22:43Is there a bus to Kiva?
22:44Bus? No.
22:47Taxi. 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, the distances we're covering.
23:05This is going to be a long leg, a lot of travel.
23:07I think you could get lost very, very quickly in this leg.
23:09I'm beginning to realise that Molly has the ability to be confident.
23:13But at times she doesn't have that inner self-belief.
23:16The **** she has to go to Kiva anyway.
23:19Oh.
23:21So, my job is to remind her that there's a time to put the skates on.
23:25OK.
23:26Sorry for being a bit indecisive.
23:27I'm just overthinking, probably.
23:29I'm going to have to make a call.
23:31OK.
23:35OK.
23:38OK.
23:38OK.
23:39OK.
23:41OK.
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?
23:52I'm just kind of...strused.
23:55At least we should get there in a couple of hours and enjoy Kiva.
23:58Yeah.
24:00As father and daughter meet her family,
24:02to make the last 190km push to Kiva,
24:05two teams are still racing along the rails
24:08through 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 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.
24:38Wake me up if anything interesting happens.
24:40I think you're pretty safe.
24:50On the edge of the Karakum Desert
24:54lies 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
25:11enclosed by towering clay walls,
25:13still perfectly preserved today.
25:17Oh, look at this.
25:18Molly.
25:18Wow.
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.
25:27...journey and...
25:28Andrew and Molly's city stopover has cost more than a day
25:32and a half's race budget on taxis alone.
25:35A modern reminder of just how remote this outpost is to reach.
25:39Kiva.
25:41Yep, it's just lovely.
25:43Eventually got here, but honestly very deflated.
25:47Very deflated, kind of annoyed.
25:53Of course there's a lot of money to get here.
25:56And we're going to have to spend a lot of money to get out of here
25:58more than likely.
26:00Or...
26:01We just sacrificed the race.
26:05It's something I wanted to do and...
26:08It's not worked out very well.
26:11So I've got a guilt with that.
26:16Yours?
26:18I've been fed up.
26:20Sorry.
26:22Yeah, do you want to...
26:23We go for a walk?
26:24Have a bit of us time.
26:27I'd love to go for a walk.
26:28All right, kid, yeah?
26:28I like that a lot.
26:29You OK? Yeah.
26:30Go and have a walk.
26:34It is stunning, isn't it?
26:36Kind of like Aladdin, that kind of...
26:38It is, it is absolutely Aladdin.
26:40Yeah.
26:41Just look at it, it's amazing.
26:42It's crazy.
26:42It is crazy.
26:44I don't really know why I'm upset.
26:47Trying to prove to myself that 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.
27:05That's beautiful.
27:08I wish I could stand on my decisions with pride.
27:13Beautiful, beautiful spot now.
27:15Amazing.
27:16But I'm scared of negatively affecting people.
27:19And with this race, it's daddy.
27:21I don't want to disappoint him.
27:24Oh, it's lovely, actually.
27:26I probably need to trust my gut.
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 the only thing that's fascinating, I always find,
27:44is that, like, the 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, yeah.
27:54It's kind of a nice round-up.
27:57Tomorrow will be a better day.
27:59Yeah.
28:05The noise!
28:07Oh, look at that colour.
28:09That's beautiful.
28:09It is lovely, isn't it?
28:11In Kazakhstan, after more than a day's travel...
28:14This us, Kuzlodha?
28:16Yo, Joe, is this us?
28:17Yes.
28:18Joe.
28:20Joe and Kush and Mark and Margo alight 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...
28:36Begzat, my name is.
28:36Begzat?
28:37Kush.
28:38Lovely to meet you, my friend.
28:39Joe and Kush have arranged a homestay
28:41with local businessman Begzat and his family.
28:45Wow!
28:45You've got a very nice space.
28:47Welcome to...
28:49...my house.
28:50This is my family.
28:54This is my father, my mother.
28:56Assalamu alaikum.
28:57Waalaikum salam.
28:59Waalaikum alaikum.
29:00In Kazakh tradition,
29:02the national dish of Beshbermak
29:04is served on special occasions.
29:07Its sharing platter,
29:08a symbol of unity and hospitality.
29:24It's so good.
29:25Mmm.
29:26Tastes amazing.
29:28Do you like sports or football?
29:30Oh, sports?
29:32Me, basketball.
29:34And, of course, Thai boxing.
29:36Thai boxing.
29:38Thai boxing?
29:39Judo.
29:39Judo.
29:40Judo.
29:43Judo.
29:44My father, he fight Muay Thai.
29:47Me, Muay Thai.
29:48Father?
29:48Father.
29:50My biological dad passed away when I was one.
29:54My mum was along with me and my older brother.
29:57And she met my dad slash step-dad 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.
30:07Thai boxing.
30:09As 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,
30:30it means the world.
30:32Your medals.
30:32Your medals.
30:36Bro.
30:37What are you saying?
30:38Champion.
30:40Number one?
30:41Champion.
30:44There's a language barrier,
30:45but I can sort of relate to the journey that they've grown up with,
30:49watching their dad 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.
30:59It's so lovely all of it.
31:00It's so sweet.
31:08In Uzbekistan.
31:09Taxi.
31:10Taxi.
31:11Train station.
31:13Train.
31:15Train.
31:18Ah.
31:19Make the choo-choo noise.
31:20Train.
31:21Choo-choo.
31:24Okay, thank you.
31:28No time to mess around with half-assed train noises.
31:31We're in a race.
31:33Having spent the night in Nukas, Katie and Harrison are bound 550 kilometres south-east to the medieval city Bukhara.
31:43Gonna get 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.
31:53Two.
31:53Is that the earliest?
31:54There's no earlier one?
31:57Molly, the earliest is two.
31:59It's half ten now and it's going to be a long wait.
32:02The taxis?
32:03How much?
32:04Yeah, it's 50 quid.
32:04It's going to cost several the money to get the taxi.
32:08This leg, we've taxied a lot.
32:09I think I'd rather prioritise budget getting 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.
32:21Much better today.
32:23The last couple of legs, I've realised that being last hasn't been a hindrance.
32:26Paris and Katie were ten hours behind us.
32:29I'm sure they've got the same train that's out of here.
32:31So I think really, in the next coming legs, it's not going to matter.
32:35If we can just stay in the game, stay as close as possible.
32:38Appreciate it.
32:39Thanks very much.
32:40There's no point one in the first couple.
32:42You only want to win one.
32:44So we keep telling ourselves.
32:48560 kilometres away in southern Kazakhstan.
32:51You can see some of that Soviet architecture, isn't it?
32:54Two teams wake up in Kizilorda.
32:59In the 1920s, it was the Soviet capital, owing to its strategic position on the Tashkent railway line.
33:07Well, workers unite. Look at that. That's rather good, that.
33:10Soviet propaganda, isn't it?
33:12It's very strong and dramatic.
33:14As Mark and Margo head out of the city to reach their homestay...
33:19Horses!
33:19Come on, Margo.
33:21Want to go to sleep?
33:27So cool.
33:28Joe and Kush have the opportunity to explore their host, Bekzat's dojo.
33:33To the coach.
33:34Salam alaykum.
33:39Definitely a random experience.
33:41Doing Judo in the middle of Kazakhstan.
33:47Of course, his husband's starved from his Muay Thai.
33:50It was nice to see him let off some steam.
33:53Bro!
33:56Come to this gym, it means a lot to me.
33:59It's more than just throwing and hitting and fighting.
34:02There's a lot of meaning behind it.
34:06I think back to memories with my dad.
34:09I found it sick to do what your dad does.
34:12Being in the gym, I wonder what he'd be thinking.
34:15He'd be standing on the side with a particular sort of smirk on his face
34:19watching me do Judo throws.
34:26I remember the day he passed.
34:29He was locked down and 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.
34:43That shock factor.
34:50I still think about him all the time.
34:54Being on this journey, it's brought me little moments of,
34:57oh, be boss to tell him.
35:01And I wish, I really wish, I could sort of show him who I am now.
35:07Because when you're 14, it's like,
35:09I didn't know who I was and I was still a child.
35:13And I made a lot of mistakes when I was younger.
35:16And I feel like if I could sort of show him what I've learned.
35:32Losing Kush's dad, it was so sudden.
35:36I think experiencing them hardships, like, so unexpectedly,
35:42it has affected Kush's personality.
35:46He wants to stay in control of himself.
35:49You know, he's never drank, he's never got drunken before,
35:53doesn't smoke, doesn't do anything without checking safety twice.
35:59Because it was such a shock,
36:01I guess he doesn't want anything like that to happen again.
36:06I'm very grateful we're doing the race together.
36:11Like, we can literally go to each other for anything.
36:14We just need to go to Turkestan.
36:15Hopefully we can get some work, keeping the budget healthy.
36:19I'm always there for Kush and I know he's always there for me as well.
36:24Who's Turkestan?
36:25Oh, perfect.
36:27Sick. Thank you.
36:29Goodbye.
36:29Goodbye.
36:32Check the jobs directory.
36:34There's a job saving food at this plaza.
36:37That looks sick.
36:39That would be boss.
36:41As Joe and Kush push on south in search of work...
36:47Across the border in Uzbekistan...
36:49It's tight now, I don't know how you're going to do this, boy.
36:52Andrew and Molly are finally on their seven-hour train journey to Bukhara.
36:56I don't know how you're going to do this.
37:00Batman's on top.
37:05Heading the same way...
37:06How is it?
37:07This is scary, but kind of cool.
37:09This is what I've been wanting to do this whole time.
37:12Katie and Harrison.
37:14I feel like this is an out-of-body experience,
37:17looking at a desert outside of a sleeper train wreck.
37:20I just never thought I'd be here.
37:22I'm really pleased with how we're racing so far.
37:24We spent a good day in Nukkas, but then got out there as soon as we reasonably could.
37:29And now we're nine hours on the move to Bukhara.
37:32He couldn't ask for much more, really.
37:34My name is Faisullo.
37:36Faisullo? Harrison.
37:37Harrison. Nice to meet you.
37:40Katie, where are you from? Where did you come from?
37:43I'm from Uzbekistan.
37:45We're from, uh...
37:48Manchester.
37:49Manchester United.
37:51Ah, yeah.
37:54Kuzanov. Ah, Manchester City.
37:56Yeah, so Uzbekistan, the centre-back.
37:58He must be quite good.
37:59Yeah, he's good.
38:00Manchester City.
38:01If you said to me five years ago that you'd be travelling across the world and seeing these places, I
38:07wouldn't have believed you.
38:08I'm obviously a world away from home, but I don't feel it.
38:13Before the race, I certainly wouldn't be going up to speaking to people.
38:18But I think it's become a second nature now.
38:20It is very lovely to meet you two.
38:22You have been very kind.
38:24It's the bit that I kind of dread, but it's always the experience I get the most out of.
38:29I come away thinking just how wonderful everyone is.
38:32This is a gift from me to you.
38:34It is very precious to me because it's my first achievement in Nukkas.
38:37Oh, no, no, no, no.
38:39You sure?
38:41Ah-ha.
38:42Ah-ha.
38:43It's a medal.
38:44Ah, half marathon.
38:46Ah.
38:47Running.
38:48I have run a half marathon two in Manchester.
38:51I can send you my medal if 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 on one ride?
39:14Not particularly.
39:16In Kentau, just outside the city of Turkestan, Mark and Margot have made it to the horse farm, run by
39:26Kularnish and his family.
39:29OK.
39:31One job you've got to do is shovel and sit.
39:35This is very ripe.
39:37Mucking in in exchange for bed and board.
39:40Give me a wheelbarrow, I'm fine. Absolutely fine.
39:42Do-do-do-do-do-do-do.
39:45I love wheelbarrows.
39:47Essential to survival, horses have long sustained life on the steppe.
39:51As transport, the source of kumas, a fermented mare's milk, and as a vital food source.
39:59Mum loves horses.
40:00That's how my grandad loved horses.
40:02Oh, gosh, your grandad was a...
40:04My great-grandad.
40:05...great-grandad was a horse trader, wasn't he?
40:07Yes.
40:09So, what will we do with the horses?
40:12Meat.
40:13Oh, they're meat?
40:14They're meat, they're meat.
40:15Oh, Lord.
40:18My dream has turned into a nightmare.
40:21It takes a reality, isn't it?
40:25When I thought about the Kazakh horses, I just thought of them running wild, excitedly over the fields or something.
40:31Oh, Lord.
40:33Are we all right?
40:34I didn't really associate it with the reality of, it's a major food source and that is reality of the
40:41way of life.
40:42But I want to be open-minded, but sometimes my mind just doesn't want to go there.
40:48Poor fella.
40:50I'm not as squeamish as Margot is.
40:53Of course, it's human life, isn't it? We eat animals.
40:57The light's gone, hasn't it, now?
40:59Right, let's go.
41:02I'm here, am I?
41:03I'm the head of the table, there we go.
41:06To welcome their guests, the family has prepared a traditional meal.
41:10It's like a banquet.
41:11I feel like a king, Margot.
41:16Oh, gosh.
41:19Oh, thank you very much.
41:21Look at that.
41:22Is that a goat?
41:25Ram's head.
41:27Ram's head.
41:28For guests of honour.
41:30Wow, look at that.
41:33Oh, Lord.
41:35What is this?
41:36More sweet as sausage.
41:39Oh!
41:40It might feel impolite not to accept it.
41:43OK, I'll try a bit of that.
41:45OK.
41:45Do you like it?
41:50It tastes of succulent lamb, yes.
41:54I'm enjoying this route.
41:55I am enjoying it.
41:56But it's not been everything I'd hoped for.
41:59It was a bit of a surprise, really.
42:02I don't know why.
42:03I think my fairytale thinking got me into another fine mess.
42:08And what's that?
42:10I don't know, it's meat.
42:12Mark, this is why I brought you on the race.
42:15I'm taking one for the team.
42:17Hi, hello.
42:19They are all happy to see you in our home.
42:23Oh, she gave me such a hug.
42:24She gave me a hug before.
42:30They're a wonderful family.
42:31It's been a real joy meeting them.
42:33This has raised my spirits.
42:35We have gifts for you.
42:37Oh, my goodness.
42:40Oh, my God.
42:46Someone like I would imagine people from the ex-Soviet Union to be.
42:50Yeah.
42:53You always see images in the West of them being very dour and grumpy.
42:58This is not the case here.
42:59Neither.
43:01Yes.
43:02These are vibrant, exciting, lovely people with big hearts.
43:08This is my wife. This is Julia.
43:10The brochure that I carry with me, the celebration of Julia's life.
43:14So beautiful.
43:15She is beautiful.
43:16She is very, very beautiful.
43:17It really is an eye-opener of how we should actually treat fellow humans.
43:21Amazing.
43:22The Kazakh way.
43:24Your treasures, absolute treasures.
43:27Thank you very much.
43:28Night-night, night-night.
43:30Isn't that lovely?
43:31Mm-hmm.
43:33That was an incredible night.
43:34It was.
43:35Not what I expected.
43:36For a while there, back at the farm, I was like...
43:39I know you were very down, weren't you, about the farm.
43:41I was...
43:42Yeah, but...
43:43They've opened their hearts and home to us, absolutely.
43:45We could feel it.
43:46It was so genuine, wasn't it?
43:48This homestay, it hasn't been about horses.
43:50It's been about humans.
43:50It's been about families.
43:51Yeah.
43:52And communities.
43:52And that's what's been so wonderful about it.
43:54Absolutely.
43:5940 kilometres south, in the centre of Turkestan.
44:04Getting ourselves dressed up.
44:06For the first time in a long time.
44:07I like a smart, casual fit, you know what I mean?
44:11Joe and Kush are bolstering their funds with a shift at a luxury events venue.
44:16I wonder what the celebration is for.
44:18Today's celebration is called a circumcision party.
44:22It's going to be...
44:22...sick.
44:30The Kazakh tradition of sundet toy.
44:34A celebration of every boy's journey towards manhood.
44:39Wow, these gifts are lavish for a...
44:40This is a really big deal.
44:43And an opportunity for families to display their wealth
44:47by spending big on lavish banquets and 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, they're getting handed wads of cash.
45:10Oh my god, there's an eagle.
45:13Wow, look at that.
45:14Imagine getting an eagle in your party room.
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.
45:22Yeah, I'm so beautiful.
45:27I love the outfits.
45:29Okay, thank you.
45:31We will watch, okay?
45:32We will watch.
45:33Yes, okay.
45:33Goodbye.
45:34Bye-bye.
45:36Your eyes are so beautiful.
45:39Give me one minute.
45:42I'm...
45:46This job has been lively, 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 that this type of thing is happening around the world.
46:02Like, yeah, it was a celebration of these two lads getting a circumcision.
46:06But I feel like it was...
46:08It uplifted everyone in that moment.
46:10We were like...
46:11Yeah, yeah, yeah.
46:13What do you say?
46:14I said, come find me after you finish dancing.
46:16Sick.
46:17Steady.
46:18Steady.
46:18Confidence.
46:19Steady easy.
46:20This is the best job.
46:23Oh, 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.
46:29It's really made me so thankful that I listened to Joe,
46:31and we decided to go through Kazakhstan.
46:34I mean, it's such a beautiful country.
46:35It's got so much heart.
46:36I'm trying to learn to enjoy the moment a lot more,
46:38trying not to think so much about the future or the past.
46:40You just got to take it all in your stride and enjoy it as much as you can,
46:43and today's been so enjoyable.
46:45Low key dough.
46:47Have you seen them?
46:48She's fine.
46:50She's fine.
46:51She's fine.
47:04Oh, Harrison.
47:07You look bonita.
47:10Orange is your colour.
47:11Having arrived last night...
47:13Do you want to get me, Vin?
47:14We've been racing pretty hard this leg.
47:16We do have time.
47:17We can go and have a wander around.
47:20Katie and Harrison are exploring Bukhara.
47:25Another key stop on the Silk Road, it was a centre for Islamic theology.
47:30Unlike the stillness of Kiva, it remains a city where ancient madrasas,
47:35centres of higher learning, sit alongside a modern working city.
47:40A stunning mosque.
47:42Incredible, isn't it?
47:43Yeah.
47:43At its centre, the 500-year-old Kalyan Mosque.
47:48So, have you got a scarf?
47:53Incredible.
47:54What a bit of craftsmanship.
47:56You don't see that on a new build in Manchester the year.
47:59Its grand arches and geometric detail designed to evoke a sense of harmony and balance.
48:06Katie, you stand right in the middle.
48:10The symmetry of that.
48:12Maybe that's why you like it so much here, because everything is symmetrical.
48:16It is.
48:18Should we get some food?
48:20Yeah.
48:21I'm starving.
48:25It's a little bit of luxury, isn't it?
48:27Very peaceful.
48:29I wouldn't have done this a few years ago.
48:31Yeah, you used to be really boring, so it's just good that you'd be not letting yourself
48:36miss out on these types of experiences.
48:39Really boring is a bit harsh.
48:41You're quite boring.
48:44Without the race, I wouldn't have allowed myself to go travelling to see these things in person.
48:48It's not in the plan I set out for myself at 17, 18 years old.
48:55My priorities in life have been to save money, get on the property ladder as soon as I can.
48:59If that's all sorted, then I think it takes away a lot of the worries and stresses that I saw
49:03our family grew up with.
49:06We're good.
49:07We struggled a little bit financially.
49:10There was a lot of moving.
49:11I think I've lived in maybe 14 different houses.
49:13I've loaned money to my family from the age of 16 since I started working.
49:19Kind of like the Bank of Harrison rather than Bank of Mum and Dad.
49:24The stresses of financially not always having enough, that's what shaped me to be so financially motivated and secure.
49:33But I think my mindset on that is definitely starting to shift.
49:36I've got a bill here.
49:37Is it as much as you thought?
49:40What?
49:40Service charge.
49:42What?
49:43Service charge.
49:44Well, it was very good service, to be fair.
49:46It was.
49:47Right.
49:48Well, the tourist information centre over there, get taxis there to Zamin.
49:53Yeah.
49:54Poised just 430 kilometres from Zamin...
49:57Sorry, do you have any English?
49:59The two teams in Bukhara set about securing onward transport.
50:04We are trying to get to Zamin National Park.
50:09To strike out towards the checkpoint.
50:13Do I mean how much?
50:15One hundred dollars.
50:17No.
50:18We are on a small budget.
50:19Is there a...
50:20We don't care about a good car.
50:22We have cheap.
50:24No.
50:25Finish.
50:26Low, low, low.
50:27No, finish.
50:28OK.
50:29Give me one minute.
50:30OK, thank you.
50:33It's a killer on the budget.
50:36But we are last.
50:37We need to catch up.
50:38If you're happy with spending it, then that's fine.
50:42Yeah, we go to Zamin, yeah?
50:43OK.
50:45It's very clean cars, to be fair.
50:48Oh, God, it's gorgeous in here.
50:50As Katie and Harrison, as well as Andrew and Molly, plot 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 as the routes converge and the pack comes together.
51:17We're going to Uzbekistan.
51:19So fasten your seatbelt.
51:21We'll be in checkpoints 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 that he's smarter.
51:32Uz...
51:33Uzbekistan...
51:33this way.
51:36He doesn't know he's gone.
51:38Oh, my days.
51:39I presume 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, the fifth checkpoint.
52:09Zamin!
52:13Very dramatic, isn't it?
52:14You like a national park, don't you?
52:16Oh, I do.
52:18Sort of Uzbekistan version of Wales.
52:20Poised 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.
52:31I can't wait to get going. Get me out of this taxi and ready to run.
52:35Within the Zamin Mountains, the Sufa Plateau, known for its distinct, flat, high plains and cool, thin mountain air.
52:50Find the amphitheatre and the way for other instructions.
52:54Amphitheatre.
52:58No idea where it could be.
53:00Amphitheatre.
53:02It's a man-made amphitheatre.
53:05Over there, look.
53:10Looks to be that up there.
53:11Yeah, that's a Sydney Opera House kind of thing.
53:13Zamin Amphitheatre.
53:15Standing nearly 2,500 metres above sea level.
53:21It's water, is it?
53:24It's dry up here.
53:25Yeah, it's dry up here.
53:27You okay?
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.
53:44Physical state to run.
53:46Do you want some water?
53:47No, I'm okay with water, mate.
53:48Yeah, the heart's pounding, but we're all right.
53:53Altitude running is not what I'm meant to do.
53:56Almost there.
53:58Seating.
53:59Stage.
53:59Yeah, Amphitheatre.
54:03Well, the impressive structure.
54:07Travel 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.
54:19Oh, wait.
54:21That is a cable car.
54:22Oh, it's over there.
54:23I can see it.
54:23I can see the sea lines down.
54:25Yeah, cable car looks to be here.
54:28I think we're getting the wrong way, Marko.
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.
54:38Two people.
54:39140,000.
54:40Just keep the ticket.
54:43Get on, get on, get on.
54:52Oh, my God.
54:56Oh, look at this.
54:57This is crazy.
54:59Jesus.
54:59Oh, my.
55:00Oh, my God.
55:03Polly, we're going vertical.
55:05Oh, my God.
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 Cape Car behind us.
55:23That would be hilarious.
55:24That would be so good.
55:26Oh, my bees.
55:27Wow.
55:30Oh, right.
55:33Find the checkpoint hotel and sign in.
55:36Hotel.
55:37Hotel.
55:37What's this?
55:38Hotel is?
55:39It's here.
55:40Town hotel is.
55:41Oh, there's two.
55:41Oh, there's two.
55:42Oh, there's two.
55:42Oh, there's two.
55:43The checkpoint hotel is a little bit vague, isn't it?
55:48That looks like a hotel, no?
55:49Let's try it.
55:52I have no idea if that's a checkpoint hotel.
55:55Yeah, this looks nice.
56:00Do you want a reception?
56:00A reception.
56:03Better be it.
56:07I don't see a book.
56:11I think it's the wrong hotel.
56:14Welcome to Zamindor Resort.
56:16Please sign in.
56:18I agree.
56:20What the hell?
56:22Yes!
56:23What?
56:24We're back.
56:24We're back.
56:25We're back.
56:26Oh, my God.
56:29Sign.
56:30Fuck.
56:32I'm so happy to be back in first place.
56:35I think transport lined up really quickly.
56:37Just try and go the direct way through and it works.
56:40Conference restored that we are now to race.
56:43Bah!
56:45I'm so happy.
56:47Assalamual.
56:48Let's do this.
56:50Oh, no.
56:52What?
56:53That is so impressive.
56:55How have they done that?
56:56Like, last to first.
56:58The fact Harrison and Katie got here before us does kind of show that Uzbekistan was the quicker route.
57:04But I'm still not regretting going through Kazakhstan.
57:06We have had the best experiences.
57:08One.
57:09Hopefully, we're going to stay consistent near the top and then on the last leg, do that little sprint to
57:14the 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.
57:24Oh, Molly.
57:26That was a tough week.
57:27That was very tough.
57:28That was a tough week, Kate.
57:29Pure, utter relief.
57:30Journey two 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 just there.
57:39Up on top?
57:40Yeah.
57:41I'm not walking any further until 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.
57:51Well, 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 throw.
58:00Boring.
58:00Boring.
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.
58:09Let's do it.
58:15Margot, the car coming.
58:17Woo, woo, woo, woo.
58:19Let's go.
58:20Yes, let's go.
58:21This leg.
58:22I'm letting Monica go over.
58:23Your daughter, she did 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.
58:39I'm on a horse in Kyrgyzstan.
58:42This isn't real.
58:43I feel like I'm in a painting.
58:44Woo!
58:49What are you doing, man?
58:58Be it, baby.
59:00Oh, my God.
59:17You're learning, man.
59:17Oh, my God.
59:20It's a ritual is really Elektro colaboratesinton.
59:20Say it, you know.
59:20I feel like the AT, you know.
59:20Only BURR 10- coûts.
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