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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, Mark.
00:42God, it's stunning.
00:44Oh, I love it.
00:45That's where we ran.
00:45Yeah.
00:46I know, yeah.
00:48All four teams gather in Georgia's capital.
00:53Despite all the buildings being so old, it's a very young city.
00:56It's such a street vibe to it, isn't it?
00:58There's a sculpture or something, isn't there?
01:00Oh, yeah.
01:01What is that?
01:02In the heart of Tbilisi, the Tamada, or Toastmaster...
01:06Is 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.
01:24Beautiful.
01:24Imagine.
01:25Such 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.
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.
01:52We'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.
02:05Yeah.
02:05We clearly haven't found it, it's been 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.
02:14Trying 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
02:23for the race to continue over land.
02:25You must fly to Akhtar, 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.
02:43Yes.
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, but I can't imagine that you're
03:07going to rock up and go like, you all right, bro?
03:09Do you know what I mean?
03:09I don't know.
03:11Very much feels like the unknown now.
03:43Well, I'm going to need my sunglasses here.
03:46Look at that.
03:46I know.
03:47Let's get out into Kazakhstan.
03:49Here we come.
03:50Welcome to Kazakhstan.
03:51Here we are.
03:51Yee-haw.
03:52After their flight from Georgia, the four teams have touched down in Aktau.
04:03Set between desert and sea, a Soviet-era city engineered solely for industry.
04:10This is the gateway to Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country.
04:18One of vast horizons and challenging landscapes that have shaped a culture of both endurance
04:25and generosity.
04:29It looks good here, though.
04:30Look at that.
04:31Yeah.
04:31The sea just for miles.
04:33I thought I'd be on a prairie.
04:35Race leaders Mark and Margot are the first to depart.
04:38Your fifth checkpoint is Zamin National Park.
04:43Ooh!
04:44That'll be glorious.
04:45Let's have a look.
04:46Zamin.
04:47Uzbekistan.
04:49Well found, Margot.
04:50A journey of around 2,200 kilometres into the soaring peaks of Zamin National Park.
05:00Part of the Turkestan mountain range and nicknamed the Uzbek Switzerland, its alpine meadows and
05:07hidden valleys shelter rare birds, lynx and Siberian ibex.
05:12Home to some of Central Asia's most dramatic scenery.
05:16A contrast to the arid plains that lead here.
05:20Whoa!
05:21The route's going to be wild getting there, I think.
05:23I think so.
05:24I mean, you could go round this way via Kazakhstan.
05:27That is considerably longer.
05:28I think the best way to go to Uzbekistan.
05:30Go through Uzbekistan.
05:31Yeah.
05:32That's the most direct route, isn't it?
05:34For their longest leg yet, the teams must choose between two countries.
05:39They can make an early crossing into Uzbekistan, following ancient Silk Road routes through bustling
05:46cities.
05:47Shorter in distance, but transport may be less reliable.
05:51Or they can stay in Kazakhstan, tracking north-east across remote lands dotted with Soviet-era settlements,
05:59all connected by a 16,000-kilometre railway network that offers slower but steadier travel.
06:07We've only just got to Kazakhstan.
06:09I'd like to see more.
06:11I think it's going to be very much like this, you know, quite boring visually.
06:14Hmm.
06:15Kazakhstan sounds a bit like more crazy and wild.
06:18Like the Wild West.
06:19Hmm.
06:20Mark has had a lot of choices so far.
06:22I've enjoyed the things we've done, but we've made decisions that were right for him.
06:26But as the races continues, I've realised that I have to have my turn of choosing things.
06:30So let's have a little look in the directory, see what jobs are on offer.
06:33OK, yes, yes.
06:34Look at this!
06:35Mark, look at that one.
06:36The horse farm near Turkestan.
06:38I love horses.
06:39You do?
06:40Yeah, do you?
06:41Hmm.
06:41I'm not too keen on horses, but I think Mongolian and Kazakhstan horses,
06:46I think they're quite small.
06:46Are they?
06:47I might be OK with them, yes.
06:48Joyful horses, yeah.
06:50Yes.
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.
07:00Yeah, it's OK.
07:01Let's gamble and go through Kazakhstan, then.
07:02Roll the dice.
07:03Yeah.
07:03We want to get to...
07:05Train 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?
07:15The train station.
07:16We want to you.
07:18He will take me.
07:19Word.
07:20Great.
07:20Yes, yes, yes.
07:22Oh, thank you.
07:24My name is Janice.
07:26Genghis, the man.
07:28I'll go in the front with Genghis.
07:30Lovely.
07:30Hey.
07:34Welcome to Kazakhstan.
07:39Look at this.
07:40It is like the Wild West, Mark.
07:42Look at this.
07:42It is, isn't it?
07:42Yeah.
07:45Train.
07:46Choo-choo.
07:47Choo-choo.
07:48Choo-choo.
07:48Caspi-si.
07:49Mm-hmm.
07:50Caspi-si.
07:51Paton.
07:51What's out?
07:52No, we want the station.
07:54Oh, I think you want to show us the Caspian station.
07:56Caspi-si.
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.
08:06Kazakhstan.
08:0890 minutes behind.
08:10There's a train route that goes straight through Kazakhstan.
08:13I'm sick of buses.
08:15Joe and Kush debate their options.
08:17I think it's going to take longer than it's worth, in my opinion.
08:20Kazakhstan looks way shorter.
08:22Our number one priority is the race,
08:24so I want to take the faster route regardless.
08:26I can't lie.
08:28It is wacky,
08:29but I think overnight train will be sick.
08:31An amazing experience.
08:32I want to do Kazakhstan.
08:34Kazakhstan 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, from Kizlodra.
08:42Is this travelling through Kazakhstan?
08:44Yes.
08:46Oh, bro.
08:46So from 8.30am tomorrow,
08:48we can get from Aktau to Kizlodra?
08:50One day, five hours.
08:52Oh, wow, OK.
08:5229-hour train.
08:54We're going to cover so much distance by this one overnight train.
08:56Let's go, Kazakhstan.
08:58Clinching the argument for Joe.
09:00Boss.
09:01The best friends have found a cross-country train
09:04leaving in the morning,
09:05taking them a hugely beneficial 1,400 kilometres
09:09deep into Kazakhstan.
09:1129-hour train is going to be boss.
09:14We are super, super stoked.
09:16Tomorrow, we are covering more distance than the length of the UK.
09:19That could be sick.
09:27Caspian Sea.
09:28Wow.
09:29Caspian Sea.
09:30Let's see the Caspian Sea.
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.
09:47Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan.
09:53Oh.
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.
10:11Chikit.
10:13Chikit?
10:13Yeah.
10:14What's he telling you?
10:15Oh, 6.30.
10:17Oh, dear.
10:18Oh, boy.
10:18We missed it.
10:19Mmm.
10:20So, if we'd come straight out, we could have...
10:22Yeah.
10:23We might have done it, yeah.
10:248.30 tomorrow.
10:25Mm-hm.
10:26Yes, okay.
10:28Eyeing up the same long-distance train as Joe and Kush...
10:32It's going to be a long, hard journey, I think, for us.
10:34Just zip it, man.
10:36This journey's going to be a triumph.
10:38They will also need to wait until morning,
10:40losing their lead before they've left Acta.
10:44No matter what the consequences, I'm glad we've done it.
11:02Welcome to Kazak.
11:04Thank you, my friend.
11:06This is...
11:07Kushney.
11:08Hey, look at these, Mark.
11:10I know.
11:118.30 in Acta.
11:13I've just seen Mark and Margo.
11:15Did you?
11:15Yeah.
11:16They're on the same train.
11:18Gee.
11:19That's mad.
11:20We've closed that gap.
11:21Looks like it's go time.
11:24Wow.
11:25The efficiency, leaving on time.
11:28Two teams set off on their long-haul train journey, bound for the vastness of Kazakhstan.
11:34It's going to be interesting, isn't it?
11:36Ask 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.
12:08Don't know what it's called.
12:08Don't know how it works.
12:09This guy just whips out the board and started pointing.
12:13Not a single word spoken yet.
12:18Oh!
12:20Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
12:21Wait, you can't.
12:22I know, yeah.
12:23I'm probably getting battered right now.
12:25I don't know what the score is, but it is fun just, like, interacting with someone in a different way.
12:29Oh, wait.
12:31Can you show me?
12:32Oh, my God.
12:33He won second in the championship.
12:36Why?
12:36Wait.
12:37Oh, my God.
12:40You're playing with a master job.
12:43It's the strangest sausage I've ever seen.
12:45Yes, isn't it?
12:46Very old sausage.
12:47Right, you're going to have to help me with that.
12:49No, no.
12:49Hazek spam.
12:50Got 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 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?
13:26Sultan.
13:27Do you have vodka for breakfast?
13:28Yeah.
13:29Mm-hmm.
13:30Is this usual?
13:32Nipponni, Nipponni, Nipponni.
13:34Ooh!
13:41Wow.
13:42This is a good tradition.
13:44Mm-hmm.
13:44So.
13:45Oh, Mark's having a great time.
13:47Yes.
13:48Stay hypnotised.
13:50Give me your vodka.
13:52Aye, give me your vodka.
13:55Mark, you don't want to come round and join us?
13:57No.
13:57No!
13:58I'm happy here.
13:59Oh, sorry, sorry.
14:00Sorry.
14:00Is that all it?
14:01I don't drink vodka at all, really.
14:03It's not my drink.
14:04He wants to marry me, does he?
14:06No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
14:08You're a very naughty boy.
14:10I'm on trend, Joes, actually.
14:11I like to look out the window and see the landscape.
14:13Let's go.
14:15Tourist.
14:17Yay!
14:19Yay!
14:20Yay!
14:21As two teams advance further into Kazakhstan...
14:26Look at that.
14:27Look, that is just unreal.
14:28As far as the eye can see, nothing.
14:31It 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.
14:41I really want to do a city.
14:43I love the idea of being around people and culture.
14:47Uzbekistan is synonymous with the original Silk Road.
14:50Yeah.
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.
15:09Okay.
15:10Where's the train?
15:11We're trying to go to Uzbekistan.
15:14Through Benu.
15:16Benu?
15:17Yes.
15:18No, no, no.
15:21Determined to reach Uzbekistan today, they must first make the five-hour trip to Benu, aiming for an evening connection
15:28across the border.
15:30How much to go to Benu now?
15:33I think we missed a train to Benu, 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 Benu and we'll be there for four o'clock.
15:52Jeez, that'd be great.
15:54I think we take it.
15:55Okay.
15:56Go, go, go.
15:56Go, go.
15:58Are you happy with us, yeah?
15:59Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:00We need to get there.
16:04$100?
16:05No.
16:06$100?
16:07No.
16:08Stop.
16:09Well then, grand, we get the train.
16:11No.
16:11How much?
16:13No, no, no, no.
16:14I really haven't a clue.
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, what are you doing?
16:23I don't want $100.
16:25I want $70.
16:26But Molly's currently in negotiations with about 20 men.
16:30That's okay.
16:30Yeah, then goodbye.
16:31Goodbye.
16:32You all right, Molly there?
16:33Yeah.
16:34She's holding her own, so, but we just have to wait and see.
16:37$70.
16:38$70.
16:39Daddy.
16:40He did for $70.
16:42Well done.
16:42That was good.
16:45Right, go.
16:47Stressful.
16:47Yes.
16:48It means we get the connection tonight.
16:50Which is the main thing.
16:52When's the last time you ever had something like that?
16:53I've never had that before.
16:55Never.
16:55Jesus, Molly.
16:56Well done, Katie.
16:56With 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, I 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, they look to move quickly across Uzbekistan.
17:31We are 20 hours behind first.
17:33Last leg, we maxed out on experience, but it did feel like we threw away three lengths worth of hard
17:39work.
17:40I just don't want to sign in last again.
17:43We're racing a lot more than the last leg, but it is about balance.
17:47Whilst we're in these places, we're going to try and experience as much as possible.
17:51Oh, there's camels.
17:54Oh, my God, there'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.
18:10And it goes to Nukas.
18:11OK.
18:12Nukas time.
18:13Tickets secured.
18:14Hello!
18:17Just like the front runners, the 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 because it means they've lost their lead on us.
18:42There's no other train we could have got, so 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.
18:48Yeah, I can see.
18:49Exactly.
18:50And if people are around us, that means we're in the game.
18:52Mm-hm.
18:53You could have some bread.
18:54I will have some and then I say.
18:56It's a bit like Jesus bread and water, isn't it?
19:00I am starving.
19:02I've got no water, no food.
19:04But what we've been doing here is eat when you can because you don't know when you're going
19:08to 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 to eat for 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 couple of times.
19:47The veggies.
19:49Don't.
19:51Don't.
19:56Don't.
19:58Don't.
19:59Don't!
19:59Don't you?
20:01Don't look at me.
20:03Don't!
20:07Don't.
20:08Ha ha ha.
20:08Then, do it.
20:10I'm going to run away.
20:12As the 29-hour train pulls two teams further across Kazakhstan, their rival two
20:19teams have made it to uzbekistan got a train ticket sorted for tomorrow morning out of knockus
20:25i'm very much looking forward to getting to explore uzbekistan a bit a nation now dominated
20:31by youth with 60 of its citizens under 30. yet beneath that energy lies a history stretching
20:39back more than two millennia with some of central asia's oldest settlements
20:45how old is this cemetery then katie think of old and then think like even older than that
20:52just outside knockus one of those ancient sites still remains
20:57mr khan a sacred necropolis in use for 22 centuries as a burial ground for local communities
21:05profits and royalty we're getting into someone's grave it's kind of creepy on what the wow
21:15even the brickwork on it like it's just you've got hundreds of different types of bricks in it and
21:19they've then been put together to create a pattern it must have been such a fast
21:24i really want one will you build a building for me when i die must be jerky
21:32it's just cool to go somewhere that's so untravelled part of a world i never thought i'd go to
21:37i know we're obviously racing this leg to try and get out of fourth place but been nice to stop
21:42for
21:42a second isn't it like to get an appreciation of of what uzbekistan's about yeah thousands of
21:49years i've always stood some of them date back to 400 bc remember the dinosaurs around oh my god
21:57are you serious where's the ticket office sorry on the other side of town at nuka's station
22:07sorry do you want to buy a ticket you good andrew and molly have their own plans to explore uzbekistan
22:14i am especially looking forward to kiva city i'd love to see the culture rather than going out to
22:21nature just more daddy thing but yeah that'd be lovely actually we're looking to get to kiva city
22:27when is the next train about 20 am every day all right thank you thank you right okay having missed
22:34another train we seem to keep getting stuck they search for alternative transport hello english english
22:43is there a bus to kiva bus no taxi taxi taxi i don't know what to do i don't know
22:49yeah sorry
22:50just let us stop i need to do something i want to enjoy today sorry just one sec i don't
22:57like having
22:57to pay for another taxi but i don't want to be stuck at a train station i really don't know
23:02what to do
23:02you can see it from the map the distances we're covering this is going to be a long leg
23:06a lot of travel i think you could get lost very very quickly in this leg i'm beginning to realize
23:11that
23:11molly has the ability to be confident but at times she doesn't have that inner self-belief
23:21so my job is to remind her that there's a time to put the skates on okay sorry for being
23:26a bit
23:26indecisive i'm just overthinking probably i'm gonna have to make a call yeah kiva city
23:35so do yes okay okay yes molly's kiva city dream has cost them another taxi ride
23:46good call yeah i think it's alcohol i don't know if it's a good one you all right i'm just
23:52kind of
23:54strange at least we should get there in a couple of hours and enjoy kiva yeah
24:00as father and daughter make the last 190 kilometer push to kiva two teams are still
24:06racing along the rails through kazakhstan's kizilorda region an open desert step where
24:12settlements are scarce and the horizon seems never ending look at that bit of flatland oh my god
24:20you see that it's a rock how do they survive on this landscape to start off with it was actually
24:28quite a variety of terrain but it's now just flattened out into a vast step i have not seen
24:35one tree since eight o'clock this morning wake me up if anything interesting happens i think you're pretty
24:49safe on the edge of the karakum desert lies kiva a gateway for silk road traders to rest and recover
25:01before facing the vast sands of central asia within it lies itchin kala a maze of narrow streets and blue
25:09tiled minarets enclosed by towering clay walls still perfectly preserved today oh look at this molly wow
25:20you okay just shut up i just feel like we've taxied this whole yeah i know andrew and molly's city
25:30stopover has cost more than a day and a half's race budget on taxis alone a modern reminder of just
25:36how remote this outpost is to reach kiva yep it's just lovely eventually got here but honestly very
25:46deflated very deflated kind of annoyed
25:50of course there's a lot of money to get here and we're gonna have to spend money to get out
25:58of here
25:58more than likely or have you just sacrificed the race it's something i wanted to do and it's not worked
26:09out very well so i've got a guilt with that
26:16you know you're gonna have a bit of us time i'd love to go for a walk all right kid
26:28yeah
26:28like that last okay yeah i want to walk
26:34it is stunning isn't it kind of like Aladdin it is it is absolutely Aladdin yeah just look at it
26:41it's amazing it is crazy I don't really know why I'm upset I'm trying to prove myself that I'm
26:48independent but I really do overthink things I'm always kind of going oh could I have done
26:53that better could I have gotten it for cheaper where's the best place to see it Molly up on
26:59the walls no oh wow that's beautiful I wish I could stand on my decisions with pride beautiful beautiful
27:14spot amazing but I'm scared of negatively affecting people and with this race it's daddy I don't want
27:21disappointed oh it's lovely actually I probably need to trust my God I know that is within my power
27:31so I think this is what I need to do from now on in it is beautiful happy we did
27:38it good call all right
27:39Molly but you think it's fascinating I always find is that like the sun goes down and it always comes
27:46dialed again I know yeah no matter what your day is like at least it'll come up tomorrow yeah that's
27:51the thing so I think that's what we need to think about a nice roundup tomorrow be a better day
27:58yeah
28:05the noise oh look at that color huh beautiful it is lovely isn't it in Kazakhstan after more than a
28:13day's travel this was Kizilorda yo Joe is this us Joe Joe and Kush and Mark and Margo alight and
28:23Kizilorda more than halfway to the checkpoint we need a hotel should try and find our fella see if
28:32he's here to bed in with Kazakh culture big that my name big that Kush it's lovely to meet you
28:39my
28:39friend Joe and Kush have arranged a homestay with local businessman Bixat and his family
28:44you've got a very nice base welcome to thank you my house this is my family yeah this is my
28:55father my
28:55mother in Kazakh tradition the national dish of best bar mark is served on special occasions it's sharing
29:07platter a symbol of unity and hospitality I saw good mmm tastes amazing me basketball I'm close tie boxing
29:44my father he fight Muay Thai me Muay Thai father my biological dad passed away when I was one my
29:54mom
29:54was alone with me and my older brother and she met my dad slash stepdad not he was a fighter
30:02he's coached me
30:03and me and my brother for as long as I can remember Muay Thai Thai boxing as a kid I
30:09remember doing pads in the
30:11garden that's a big one he'd do around the pads with us and then make us do press-ups while
30:16the other one does the pads
30:17even though we're not blood he never once shied away from treating me as his own so growing up with
30:27him as someone strong to look up to you it meant it means the world your medals
30:37bro what are you saying champion number one champion
30:44there's a language barrier but I can sort of relate to the journey that they've grown up with watching
30:50their dad and being inspired to then pursue the same passion hey you've done this you know Muay Thai I
30:57think
30:57this guy's got a lovely family it's so lovely all of it's so sweet
31:00haha
31:07in Uzbekistan taxi taxi train station train in English yeah ah
31:25okay thank you no time to mess around with our fast train noises we're in a race
31:33having spent the night in Nukas Katie and Harrison are bound 550 kilometers southeast to the medieval city Bukhara
31:43gonna get traveling all day you can't really ask for much more
31:47to the south in Kiva train to Bukhara
31:50Andrew and Molly have the same idea
31:52two is that the earliest there's no earlier one
31:57Molly the earliest is two
31:58it's half ten now and it's gonna be a long wait
32:01the taxis
32:02how much?
32:04yeah it's 50 quid
32:04it's gonna cost double the money to get the taxi
32:07this leg we've taxied a lot
32:09I think I'd rather prioritize budget getting to Bukhara
32:12Bukhara so where
32:13train's better
32:14train's best
32:15yeah that's a good call yeah
32:16I need two tickets to Bukhara
32:19I'm feeling very good
32:21much better today
32:22the last couple of legs
32:24I've realized that being last hasn't been a hindrance
32:26Paris and Katie were ten hours behind us
32:28I'm sure they've got the same train of us out of here
32:31so I think really in the next coming legs it's not gonna 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 won in the first couple
32:42you only want to win one
32:43so we keep telling ourselves
32:47560 kilometers 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
33:02owing to its strategic position on the Tashkent railway line
33:06well 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 Margo head out of the city to reach their homestay
33:18horses
33:20come on Marco
33:20want 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 you though in the middle of Kazakhstan
33:47of course his husband 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 with my dad
34:08I found it sick to do what your dad does
34:12being in the gym
34:13I wonder what he'd be thinking
34:14the beast standing on the side
34:16with a particular sort of smirk on his face
34:19watching me do judo throws
34:26I remember the day he 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
34:41you never sort of forget that
34:43that shock factor
34:50I still think about him
34:52all the time
34:53being on this
34:54journey
34:55it's brought me little moments of
34:57of
34:57be boss to tell him
35:01and I wish
35:02I really wish
35:02I could
35:03sort of show him
35:05who I am now
35:07because when you're 14
35:07it's like
35:09I didn't know who I was
35:10and
35:11I was still a child
35:13and I made a lot
35:14like I made a lot of mistakes
35:15when I was younger
35:16and I feel like
35:16if I could
35:17sort of
35:18show him what I've learned
35:32losing Kush's dad
35:33it was so sudden
35:36I think
35:37experiencing
35:39them
35:39hardships
35:40like
35:41so unexpectedly
35:42it has affected
35:44Kush's personality
35:45he
35:46wants to stay
35:47in control of himself
35:49you know
35:50he's never drank
35:51he's never got drunken
35:52before
35:52doesn't smoke
35:55doesn't
35:55do anything
35:56without
35:57checking safety
35:57twice
35:59because it was such a shock
36:00I guess he doesn't want
36:01anything like that to happen again
36:04Thank you
36:06I'm very grateful
36:07we're doing the race
36:08together
36:11like
36:12we can literally go to each other
36:13for anything
36:14we just need to get to Dirk Stan
36:15hopefully we can go to some work
36:16keeping the budget healthy
36:19I'm always there for Kush
36:20and I know
36:21he's always there for me as well
36:23who's Turkestan
36:24oh
36:25perfect
36:26sick
36:27thank you
36:28good bye
36:29good bye
36:30good bye
36:30good bye
36:31check the jobs directory
36:34there's a job saving food at this plaza
36:37that looks sick
36:38that 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
36:50I don't know how you're gonna do this boy
36:51Andrew and Molly are finally on their seven hour train journey to 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 wanting to do this whole time
37:12Katie and Harrison
37:13I feel like
37:14it's an out of body experience
37:16looking at a desert outside of a sleeper train
37:19yeah
37:19I 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 Nukas
37:26but then got out there as soon as we reasonably could
37:29and now we're nine hours on the move to Bukhara
37:31you couldn't ask for much more really
37:34my name is Faizullo
37:36Faizullo? Harrison
37:37what's your name?
37:38Harrison
37:39nice to meet you
37:39Katie
37:40where are you from?
37:42where did you come from?
37:43I'm from Uzbekistan
37:45we're from
37:48Manchester
37:48Manchester United
37:54Kuzanov
37:54ah
37:55Manchester City
37:56yeah Uzbekistan
37:57the 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
38:03that you'd be travelling across the world
38:05and seeing these places
38:06I wouldn't have believed you
38:07I'm obviously a world away from home
38:12but I don't feel it
38:13before the race
38:14I certainly wouldn't be going up
38:16speaking to people
38:17but I think it's become a second nature now
38:19it is very lovely to meet you two
38:22you have been very kind
38:24it's the bit that I kind of dread
38:25but it's always the experience I get the most out of
38:28I've come away thinking just
38:30how wonderful everyone is
38:32this is a gift from me to you
38:33it is very precious to me
38:34because it's my first achievement in Nookhurst
38:36oh no no no no
38:39you sure?
38:40oh
38:42oh
38:42to the medal
38:43oh
38:44half marathon
38:45oh
38:47running
38:48I have run a half marathon too in Manchester
38:50I can send you my medal if you would like it
38:54my name is Faisal Love
38:56Faisal Love
38:57Faisal Love
38:57my name is Harrison
39:01we are friends
39:07hello
39:09they're lovely aren't they beautiful
39:12would you like to get on one ride?
39:13not particularly
39:16in Kentau
39:17just outside the city of Turkestan
39:21Mark and Margo have made it to the horse farm
39:24run by Kularnish and his family
39:29okay
39:31one job you've got to do is shovel shit
39:34this is very ripe
39:36mucking in in exchange for bed and board
39:39give me a wheelbarrow I'm fine
39:41absolutely fine
39:42I love wheelbarrows
39:47essential to survival
39:48horses have long sustained life on the steppe
39:51as transport
39:53the source of kumas
39:55a fermented mare's milk
39:56and as a vital food source
39:58mum loves horses
40:00so my grandad loved horses
40:02oh gosh your grandad was a
40:04my great grandad
40:05great grandad was a horse trader wasn't he?
40:07hello
40:07yes
40:08so
40:09what will we do with the horses?
40:11yeah
40:11what?
40:12oh they're meat?
40:14they're meat
40:15oh lord
40:18my dream has turned into a nightmare
40:20good taste of reality isn't it?
40:25when I thought about the Kazakh horses
40:27I just thought of them running wild
40:29excitedly over the fields or something
40:31hello
40:33are we all right?
40:34I didn't really associate it with the reality of
40:37it's a major food source
40:39and that is
40:40reality of the way of life
40:42but I want to be open-minded
40:43but sometimes my mind just
40:46doesn't want to go there
40:47poor fella
40:49I'm not as squeamish as Margot is
40:53of course it's human life isn't it?
40:55we eat animals
40:57light'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
41:04there we go
41:05to welcome their guests
41:07the family has prepared a traditional meal
41:09it's like a banquet
41:11I feel like a king Margot
41:16oh gosh
41:18oh
41:19thank you very much
41:21look at that
41:22is that a goat?
41:25ram's head
41:26ram's head
41:28for guests of honour
41:30wow look at that
41:33oh lord
41:34what is this?
41:37oh
41:40it might feel impolite
41:41not to accept it
41:43I don't care
41:44I'll try a bit of that
41:44to the cake
41:45hmm
41:49do you like it?
41:50it tastes like succulent lamb
41:52yes
41:54I'm enjoying this root
41:55I am enjoying it
41:56but it's not been everything
41:57I'd hoped for
41:59it was a bit of a surprise really
42:01I don't know why
42:02I think my fairy tale thinking
42:06got me into another fine mess
42:08and what's that?
42:10I don't know
42:10it's meat
42:12Mark
42:13this is why I brought you on the race
42:14I'm taking one for the team
42:17hi hello
42:19they are all happy to see you in our home
42:22oh she gave me such a hug
42:24she gave me a hug
42:24thank you
42:28thank you
42:29a wonderful family
42:31it's been a real joy meeting them
42:33this has raised my spirits
42:34we have gifts
42:36for you
42:37oh my goodness
42:41oh my goodness
42:42oh my gosh
42:46someone like how I would imagine people from the ex-soviet union to be
42:50yeah
42:50yeah
42:53you always see images in the west of them being very dour and grumpy
42:57this is not the case here
42:59neither
43:01yeah
43:02these are vibrant, exciting, lovely people
43:06with big hearts
43:08this is my wife
43:09this is Julia
43:10the brochure that I carry with me the celebration of Julia's life
43:14so beautiful
43:15she is beautiful
43:15she is very very beautiful
43:17she is very beautiful
43:18really is an eye-opener
43:18of how we should actually treat fellow humans
43:21amazing
43:22the Kazakh way
43:23your treasures
43:25absolute treasures
43:26thank you
43:27thank you very much
43:28thank you
43:28night night night night
43:29isn't that lovely
43:32that was an incredible night
43:34it was
43:35it was
43:35not what I expected
43:36for a while there back at the farm
43:38I was like
43:39I know you were very down weren't you
43:41I was
43:41I was
43:42yeah
43:43but
43:43they've opened their hearts and home to us
43:45absolutely
43:45we could feel it
43:46it was so genuine wasn't it
43:48this homestead
43:49it hasn't been about horses
43:49it's been about humans
43:50it's been about families
43:51yeah
43:51in communities
43:52and that's what's been so 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
44:10Joe and Kush are bolstering their funds
44:13with a shift at a luxury events venue
44:16I wonder what the celebration is for
44:18today's celebration is called
44:20a circumcision party
44:22sick
44:30the Kazakh tradition of sundet toy
44:35a celebration of every boy's journey towards manhood
44:38how these gifts are lavish for a place
44:40this is a really big deal
44:43and an opportunity for families to 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
45:13wow look at that
45:14imagine getting an eagle in your party road
45:16that would be lit
45:16hello
45:18nice to meet you
45:19my name is Nazgud
45:19Nazgud?
45:20Kush
45:21it's nice to meet you
45:22yeah I'm still beautiful
45:25thank you
45:26sorry
45:27I love the outfits
45:28ok thank you
45:30we will watch
45:32ok we will watch
45:32ok
45:33bye bye
45:35bye bye
45:36your eyes are so beautiful
45:37your eyes are so beautiful
45:39give me one minute
45:40I need to make
45:42I'm going
45:42I'm going
45:46this job has been lively shall I say
45:50we wanted that randomness
45:52we wanted to experience new things
45:53I think this has ticked both of them boxes
45:56I don't know
45:58I was just blown away
45:59that this type of thing is happening around the world
46:01like yeah it was a celebration of these two lads
46:04getting a circumcision
46:05but
46:07I 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
46:14come find me after you finish dancing
46:16sick
46:17serious
46:18confidence
46:18very easy
46:20this is the best job
46:22oh my god
46:23it's mine and Joe's calling
46:24you know what I mean
46:25we've been talking to everyone
46:26everyone's so nice
46:28it's
46:29really 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
46:45well
46:46no he though
46:46have you seen the mother
46:48she's fine
46:49she's fine
47:04oh Harrison
47:06you look bonita
47:09orange 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
47:19Katie and Harrison are exploring Bukhara
47:24another key stop on the Silk Road
47:27it was a centre for Islamic theology
47:30unlike the stillness of Kiva
47:31it remains a city where ancient madrasas
47:35centres of higher learning
47:36sit alongside a modern working city
47:39stunning mosque
47:42incredible isn't it?
47:43at its centre
47:44the 500 year old Kalyan mosque
47:47so have you got a scarf?
47:53incredible
47:53what a bit of craftsmanship
47:56you don't see that on a new build in Manchester either
47:58it's grand arches and geometric detail
48:02designed to evoke a sense of harmony and balance
48:06Katie
48:07you stand right in the middle
48:10the symmetry of that
48:11maybe that's why you like it so much here
48:14because everything is symmetrical
48:16it is
48:18should we go and get some food?
48:20yeah
48:20I'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
48:33so it's just good that you're not letting yourself miss out on these types of experiences
48:38really boring is a bit harsh
48:41you're quite boring
48:43without 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
48:54my 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 then I think it takes away a lot of the worries and stresses that I saw
49:03our family grew up with
49:06work gone
49:07we struggled a little bit financially
49:09there was a lot of moving
49:10and I think I've lived in maybe 14 different houses
49:14I've loaned money to my family from the age of 16 since I started working
49:18kind of like the bank of Harrison rather than bank of mum and dad
49:24the stresses of financially not always having enough
49:27that's what shaped me to be so financially motivated and secure
49:32but I think my mindset on that is definitely starting to shift
49:35my bill here
49:37is that as much as you thought
49:39what
49:40service charge
49:41what
49:42service charge
49:43well it was very good service to be fair
49:46it was
49:46right
49:47well the tourist information centre over there
49:49get taxis there to Zamin
49:52yeah
49:53poised just 430 kilometres from Zamin
49:57sorry
49:58do you have any English?
50:00the two teams in Bukhara set about securing onward transport
50:04we are trying to get to Zamin National Park
50:08to strike out towards the checkpoint
50:13do you know what I mean?
50:14how much?
50:15one hundred dollars
50:16no
50:17we are on small budget
50:19is there a
50:19good car no problem
50:20we don't care about good car
50:22we have cheap
50:23no
50:24no
50:25no
50:25finish
50:26low low low
50:27no finish
50:28okay
50:28give me one minute
50:30okay thank you
50:32it's a killer on the budget
50:35but we are
50:36last
50:37we need to catch up
50:38if you are happy with spending it then
50:40that's fine
50:41yeah
50:42we go to Zamin
50:42yeah
50:43okay
50:44it's very clean cars
50:46to be fair
50:47oh god it's gorgeous in here
50:50as Katie and Harrison as well as Andrew and Molly
50:53plot a route east through Uzbekistan
50:56the priority for today is across the board into Uzbekistan
50:59the two teams in Kazakhstan are ready to approach from the north
51:03I feel like the tactics quickest for sure
51:05I think we should just try and flag one down here
51:09once across the border
51:10it's a final push to Zamin
51:12as the routes converge and the pack comes together
51:16we're going to Uzbekistan
51:19fasten your seat belt
51:21we'll be in checkpoints in no time
51:25wrong way bro
51:27he's taking a wrong turn
51:28he's being told to make a U-turn but he keeps thinking and he's smarter
51:32Uzbekistan
51:33this way
51:36he doesn't know he's gone
51:38oh my days
51:39I presume he knows that the Uzbekistan border
51:42it should be fine
51:52we'll get there
51:52don't stress
52:02high in the mountains on Uzbekistan's eastern edge
52:06the fifth checkpoint
52:08Zamin
52:13very dramatic isn't it?
52:14you like a national park
52:16don't you Mark?
52:16oh I do
52:17sort of Uzbekistan 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
52:35within the Zamin mountains
52:37the Sufa Plateau
52:39known for its distinct flat high plains
52:42and cool thin mountain air
52:45thank you
52:46thank you
52:49finally amphitheatre
52:51and I'll wait for other instructions
52:53amphitheatre
52:57no idea where it could be
53:00amphitheatre
53:02it's a man-made amphitheatre
53:05look over there
53:05look
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
53:20this will work for us
53:23jeez it's dry up here
53:25yeah it's dry too
53:27you okay?
53:28just a sec
53:29my legs are wobbly
53:30the altitude has just killed me
53:34keep going
53:35you're doing 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
53:46do you want some water?
53:47no I'm okay with water mate
53:48your heart's pounding but we're alright
53:53altitude running is not what I meant to do
53:54oh
53:56almost there
53:57seating
53:58stage
53:59yeah amphitheatre
54:02rather impressive structure
54:06travel by cable car to the lower station
54:10travel 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 I 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 gonna have to have a rest
54:33get in front of all the cute people
54:34come on
54:37it's lovely
54:38two people
54:39140,000
54:40just keep the ticket
54:41thank you
54:41thank you
54:43get on get on
54:44get on
54:49oh
54:49oh my god
54:56oh look at this
54:57this is crazy
54:59Jesus
54:59oh my
55:00oh my god
55:04oh
55:05oh my god
55:06oh my god
55:07oh my god
55:07oh my god
55:07oh my god
55:07oh my god
55:08this 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 cave a car
55:22that would be so good
55:25oh my days
55:27wow
55:30oh
55:31right
55:31oh
55:31oh my god
55:32oh my god
55:33find the checkpoint hotel and sign in
55:35hotel
55:36ah hotel
55:37what's this hotel is?
55:39it's a town hotel
55:40oh there's two
55:43checkpoint 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
55:54yeah this 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 zamindor resort
56:16please sign in
56:18and 33
56:20what the hell?
56:22yes
56:22what?
56:24we're back
56:24we're back
56:25we're back
56:25oh my god
56:28oh
56:29sign
56:30no
56:30that
56:30fuck
56:32i'm so happy to be back in first place
56:35i think transport lined up really quickly
56:37just try go the direct way through and it worked
56:40confidence restored that we are now to race
56:43bah
56:45i'm so happy
56:48assalamuala
56:48let's do this
56:50oh no
56:52what?
56:53that is so impressive
56:55they have done that
56:56last to first
56:57the fact harrison and katie got here before us
57:00does kind of show that azbekistan was the quicker route
57:03but i'm still not regretting going through kazakhstan
57:06we have had the best experiences
57:09hopefully we're going to stay consistent near the top
57:11and then on the last leg do that little sprint to the end
57:17third
57:19third time paying third
57:20but very pleased about it
57:22thought we were not going to do as well as what we did
57:24oh marlin
57:26that was a tough weekend
57:27that was very tough
57:28that was a tough weekend
57:29pure utter relief
57:30journey to to kiva kind of nearly broke us
57:32i really struggled this leg and i'm so pleased everything worked
57:36yeah
57:37that's the entrance just there
57:39up on top
57:40yeah
57:40i'm not walking any further till you're certain we've got it
57:43we're just going up a fire escape
57:45come on up margo
57:46good evening please sign in
57:49yes
57:50fourth
57:50yeah
57:51well look at that katie and harrison are back in the lead again
57:54katie and harrison have had it a lot of times move over
57:58let someone share the throne
57:59it's getting boring
58:00boring
58:01boring
58:02we've been fourth before
58:03we're at four three two one
58:04we're going forward
58:05we're choosing better routes
58:06no more side quests
58:07no more side quests
58:08to see horses
58:09let's do it
58:15margo
58:15the 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 so great job
58:25mark and i have fourth and we have got to race
58:28this could be a white knuckle ride
58:31oh i'm so stressed
58:32i hate to see you in such a negative space
58:36we just can't give up
58:37oh my god
58:38i'm on a horse
58:39in kyrgyzstan
58:41this isn't real i feel like i'm in a painting
58:49what are you doing man
59:09slash
59:10we're hunting
59:10how are you doing man