Jo and Kush became the first team to arrive in Hatgal, Mongolia, taking the £20,000 prize after a transcontinental journey from Palermo
The latest edition of Race Across the World reached a dramatic conclusion when the Liverpool duo Jo and Kush became the first to sign in at the final checkpoint in Hatgal, on the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in Mongolia. Across a route described in reports as roughly 7,460 miles, the teams navigated a mix of city streets, rural ferries and frozen steppe using only the cash equivalent of a plane ticket and without modern banking tools.
The victory earned Jo and Kush the programme’s top award of £20,000, capping a journey that tested stamina, planning and partnership.
The finish was both athletic and emotional: the youngest team in the race sprinted through snow and signed the ledger at the checkpoint before celebrating in the freezing forest.
Behind them, father and daughter Andrew and Molly arrived a few hours later, securing second place, while siblings Katie and Harrison followed in third and in-laws Mark and Margo finished fourth. The show’s end-of-series reunion and extra footage have been scheduled to give viewers a look back at the highs and lows that defined the trek.
How the final leg unfolded
The closing segment of the race covered approximately 950 kilometres of rugged terrain and extreme weather, presenting a last test of resilience and navigation. With smartphones and bank cards left behind, teams relied on local transport and bargaining to move across borders, often improvising plans in the face of cancellations or full services. The final sprint to Hatgal featured a moment of pure relief and joy for Jo and Kush, who described the feeling of arrival as surreal and deeply rewarding after weeks of hardship and sacrifice. Their celebration in the snow underscored the human side of endurance travel portrayed throughout the series.
Competitors repeatedly encountered language barriers, unpredictable timetables and stretching budgets, with the production setting a strict daily allowance – a constraint that emphasised route choice as much as speed. The runners’ ability to read local situations, secure last-minute rides and make fast decisions proved decisive, particularly when weather or transport delays threatened their progress. This mix of logistics and human connection is central to the show’s format and the final outcome.
The route, climates and rules that shaped the race
Starting from Palermo on the island of Sicily, the teams retraced a path that threaded through multiple countries and climates. The televised route encompassed Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, echoing sections of the historic Silk Road that once linked east and west. That geographic sweep produced stark contrasts: Mediterranean heat in southern Europe flipped to subarctic temperatures on the Mongolian steppe, with reported swings from around 30°C down to near −20°C at times, demanding attention to clothing, schedules and local advice.
Key logistical constraints
The race operates under a handful of strict parameters designed to equalise opportunity while testing resourcefulness. Contestants were deprived of digital conveniences such as smartphones and internet access and had to survive on the cash equivalent it would cost to fly the same route. Producers set a modest per-person budget — a framework that meant teams negotiated fares, found shared transport and sometimes chose slower over expensive options. The format highlighted how route decisions, not just speed, determine success in long-range overland travel.
Navigation and cultural encounters
Crossing diverse regions meant dealing with different languages, customs and transport systems. Teams frequently relied on gestures, local help and improvisation to bridge gaps, turning chance encounters into essential connections. These moments produced much of the series’ emotional texture: a blend of frustration, joy and learning as contestants adapted to unfamiliar places. For viewers, the cultural variety and the contestants’ reactions created a compelling travel narrative as much as a competition.
What happens after the finish line
After the broadcasted finale, viewers were invited to explore further through a reunion special on BBC One and a companion podcast, Race Across the World: The Detour. Hosted by presenter Tyler West, the video podcast features interviews, behind-the-scenes insights and contributions from past winner Alfie Watts. The first extended interview with Jo and Kush is also made available on BBC Sounds, giving fans an immediate window into the winners’ reflections and practical stories from the route. All episodes of the series are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The programme’s format has roots in earlier seasons: the original series launched in 2019 and the format expanded to include a celebrity edition that aired in 2026. This newest chapter reinforced the show’s blend of competitive tension and cultural discovery, reminding audiences why overland challenges remain compelling television: they test limits, reveal character and connect disparate places through human stories.
