Race Across the World 2026: First Eliminated Duo Opens Up on Experience
The first pair to be sent home from Race Across the World 2026 have spoken out about their journey on the BBC competition, sharing insights and a crucial packing tip for fans. Cousins Puja and Roshni were eliminated during a tough leg of the show, forcing them to leave immediately after coming in last place.
Elimination and Emotional Aftermath
In Thursday's episode, which aired on April 16, the teams were tasked with travelling from Istanbul to Halfeti in Turkey. The rules were clear: the fifth team to arrive at the checkpoint would be eliminated. Puja and Roshni, desperate to avoid last place, made a risky 500km detour westwards. However, a significant bus delay at 3am dashed their hopes, and they arrived at 2.23am the following day, securing their departure.
Appearing on Morning Live the next day, Puja reflected on the experience, saying, "I think you can see on most of the leg we thought we were not that bad. We were quite confident. I always think you should believe in yourself which we did. We were shocked but at the end of the day this is life. Life throws you ups and downs and you just have to cope with it and keep a positive mindset and we had a great time."
Roshni added, "When you are put in such an intense environment you get to learn about someone very quickly. As kids we spent a lot of time together but as adults we didn't know how we worked but it was a great experience and we now prioritise spending time together."
Key Tips for Future Contestants
When hosts Michelle Ackerley and Rav Wilding asked for advice for potential participants, Puja highlighted practical strategies. She shared, "The way we got by with meals on the race was just getting food from the supermarket. We got a packet of croissants that lasted about three or four days."
More importantly, she revealed a major game changer for packing: "The other thing is compressible packing cubes. They are the biggest game changer for packing, especially when you are trying to pack a lot of things." This tip could prove invaluable for future teams navigating the challenges of the race.
Race Results and Context
The episode saw other teams arriving at the checkpoint in Turkey with varying times:
- Harrison and Katie arrived first just after midnight.
- Mark and Margo were next at 10am.
- Josh and Kush followed at 10.38am.
- Andrew and Molly arrived at 2.14pm.
Race Across the World continues to air on Thursdays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm, offering more thrilling adventures and eliminations as the competition progresses.
