Race Across the World returns for its high-stakes finale tonight (Thursday 21st May), as the remaining teams make one last push across Mongolia. 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.
Retired architect Mark, 66, is racing alongside hypnotherapist Margo, 59. Their unique bond has helped carry them all the way to the final leg. Mark and Margo first met decades ago when Mark married Margo's sister Julie, who sadly passed away in 2022. They signed up for the race to continue their friendship, something that had been Julie's dying wish.
Their biggest challenge came in 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. '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.'
Despite the odds, the pair remain determined. 'We are absolutely thrilled to make it this far,' Margo added. Mark noted 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,' he said.
As for what winning would mean, Margo said they would feel like 'the King and Queen of the race'. 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.'
