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Who are Mark and Margo? Meet Race Across the World 2026 contestants

Let the race begin!

Margo and Mark stood next to each other smiling ahead.

BBC/Studio Lambert

Published: Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 1:10 pm

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Race Across the World is back for its high-stakes finale tonight (Thursday 21st May), as the remaining teams make one last push across Mongolia.

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Among the duos still in the running are in-laws Mark and Margo, who have fought through a difficult penultimate leg and are now determined to reach the finish line.

"We are absolutely thrilled to make it this far because we knew we were spending money on keeping ourselves well as older people, so we are just glad we could survive this far and get this far," Margo said.

Mark added that the adversities of leg seven had become "quite a big turning point" in their friendship.

"We worked really hard together and when we were low, Margo had some extra energy and joy to raise us up and force us to continue to the checkpoint," he said. "It was tough but our friendship has strengthened and we are determined to keep going to that finish line."

As the race reaches its conclusion, scroll on to find out more about the Race Across the World pair.

Who are Mark and Margo?

Mark and Margo.

Mark and Margo. BBC/Studio Lambert

Relationship: In-laws

Retired architect Mark, 66, is racing alongside hypnotherapist Margo, 59 – and their unique bond has helped carry them all the way to the final leg.

Mark and Margo first met decades ago when Mark met and married Margo's sister Julie, who sadly passed away in 2022.

They signed up for Race Across the World to continue their friendship, something that had been Julie's dying wish – and the experience has brought them closer than ever.

"We've become good friends," Mark said. "It’s changed our relationship considerably. Personally, I think that particular leg, leg seven, just being in that situation together, and having to pull together and work together, we just became very close friends.

"I think we have quite a deep friendship now from all we have been through together and I have a different sort of perspective on Margo now. She has deep strengths and commitment and I never realised or appreciated those before."

Margo agreed, describing their bond as "a deep friendship that respects, appreciates and celebrates the differences".

"When it comes to what's really important, just working together and being there for each other, we will get to that final checkpoint, and there is real strength and beauty in that depth," she said.

Their biggest challenge has been the most recent leg, after falling behind and facing the possibility that their chances of winning were slipping away.

"When we realised we'd fallen behind this last leg, we were devastated," Margo said. "Because we were delayed and could not go on that night, we know we have fallen so far behind, and it almost feels like the chances of winning are disappearing.

"We feel sad, and heavy, and we just want to be able to finish the race, but we know it’s going to cost us money which we don’t have lots of, but we will pull together as a team, and there is so much power in that."

Could Mark and Margo win Race Across the World?

They know they have a tough task ahead of them – and Margo sees every remaining team as serious competition.

"Everyone!" she said when asked who posed the biggest threat. "Katie and Harrison are epic, epic racers. Molly and Andrew have a lot of budget going into the last leg, so they can do brilliant things in a country where we know it's expensive. And Jo and Kush, we’ve grown so much respect for as they are so determined. All three teams are brilliant and so I can’t call it."

As for what winning would mean, Margo said they would feel like "the King and Queen of the race".

"Winning it would be an absolute crowning glory and icing on the cake," she said. "It would mean everything and we would be thrilled."

Mark added: "I think we will be shocked if we win, but we would like to show that age is not a barrier for things like this, you can compete with other people."

Race Across the World continues on Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Seasons 1-5 are available to watch on iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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