Race Across the World 2026 Features Liverpool Contestants on BBC Two
BBC Two's acclaimed reality series, Race Across the World, is set to make a thrilling return on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 8pm, available on BBC One and iPlayer. This season introduces five new pairs of contestants embarking on an epic journey, with two teams proudly hailing from Liverpool, adding a local flavour to the global adventure.
The Ultimate Travel Challenge Returns
The competition involves a gruelling 12,000-kilometre race spanning eight diverse countries: Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia. Each duo must navigate varying languages, cultures, and climates while managing a tight budget of less than £26 per person per day. The physical, emotional, and mental demands are intense, with the winning pair securing a £20,000 cash prize and the coveted title of Race Across the World winners for 2026.
Meet the Liverpool Contestants
The five participating pairs include Katie and Harrison, Molly and Andrew, Puja and Roshni, alongside Liverpool's own Jo and Kush, and Mark and Margo. This lineup promises a mix of youthful energy and seasoned resilience, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Kush and Jo: Young Best Friends from Liverpool
Kush and Jo, both 19 years old and childhood best mates, are the youngest duo in this year's race. Fresh from completing their A-Levels and sixth form, they view this adventure as a chance to embrace independence before starting university. "We had just finished sixth form, got our A-Levels, and the opportunity to travel with the race before we went to university, which made it even more exciting for us," explained Jo.
Kush added, "We were both at a sort of standstill in deciding what to do with our futures. So, when the opportunity came up, we thought it would be a fantastic experience and something we could look back on and learn from." The race presents unique challenges, as contestants are prohibited from using mobile phones or credit cards, a rule that could be particularly daunting for these tech-savvy teenagers.
Jo expressed concerns about the lack of instant communication: "I think it will start to hit us when we're feeling stressed. I don't think it's fully hitting me yet that I can't call my mum anytime I need. I think we will struggle at the points of the race where the next train is like in five hours' time, and we're bored." Kush highlighted the reliance on technology, saying, "It's a shock. It's such an easy comfort to open your phone, and when I was travelling, I did a lot of bookings through my phone, so I think it will be a really big challenge to not be able to pull up Google Maps and look for directions, book transport, find out where the train is or call my mum."
Food access is another hurdle, with Jo admitting, "My weakness will probably be my appetite if I'm honest." However, they believe their strength lies in their social skills: "I think our strength would be our ease to speak to strangers. We don't have any issues with approaching people or asking people for advice, so I think that will definitely benefit us." Kush summarised his challenges as missing "mum, the internet, and accessible snacks."
Mark and Margo: In-Laws from Liverpool and London
Mark, 66 from London, and Margo, 59 from Liverpool, form an unexpected pairing as in-laws who have had a challenging relationship over four decades. Their bond strengthened after caring for a loved one, leading them to participate in the race following the death of Mark's wife and Margo's sister, Julia. Mark cited Julia as his motivation: "It's a continuation of journeys of caring for Julia. It's the next step. Margo would come for four or five days and would sit with Julia all day in the hospital, which was something I couldn't do - I could not sit down. She comforted Julia."
He continued, "I would do all the practical things of taking the blood transfusions, all the appointments, doing the medication, and making sure that she was looked after. That brought us together, and this is just a continuation of that. We became friends and realised that we could work together." Margo shared, "It was a journey, and there were checkpoints on that journey, but they were never good. It was very hard and difficult times, but this is a continuation, for the adventure, and to see where it goes really."
Reflecting on their newfound respect, Margo said, "We developed respect for each other; I think we hadn't really paid attention to the good points about each other before that." Mark added, "Julia wanted us to continue a friendship. It was one of her last dying wishes." In honour of her sister, Margo expressed, "Julia had a great intuition about things, and I think she knew we would need each other. I think this is a way of becoming true family, because we haven't got Julia to glue us together anymore." Mark affectionately confirmed, "Margo is becoming more like a sister now to me."
What to Expect from the Race
As the teams set off on this demanding journey, viewers can anticipate high-stakes drama, cultural exploration, and personal growth. The absence of modern conveniences will test their resourcefulness and resilience, making for compelling television. With Liverpool represented by both youthful enthusiasm and mature camaraderie, this season of Race Across the World promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of human endurance and connection.
