Race across the world returns: five new teams embark on epic journey

Published on 02/04/2026 18:07 in travel • Kelsey Barberio

The latest season of Race Across the World kicks off tonight at 8pm, promising a fresh wave of challenges and interpersonal dynamics as five new pairs race across 12,000km.

Cousins puja and roshni, in-laws mark and margo, siblings katie and harrison, father and daughter andrew and molly, and friends kush and jo are ready to test their limits.

Cousins puja and roshni, in-laws mark and margo, siblings katie and harrison, father and daughter andrew and molly, and friends kush and jo are ready to test their limits.

This year’s lineup features an intriguing mix of relationships: best friends, a father-daughter duo, cousins, siblings, and even the show’s first in-laws. The competition demands not just physical endurance, but also the resilience required to navigate complex personal connections under immense pressure.

Puja and Roshni, cousins aged 31 and 32 respectively, are prioritizing shared experiences after years dedicated to their careers. Puja, a doctor, sought a break from her professional routine, finding a renewed sense of purpose in the race. “I wanted to prioritise making memories,” she explained.

Mark and Margo, the first in-laws to compete, are driven by a promise to Mark’s late wife, Julia. Their relationship, once strained, found unexpected common ground while caring for Julia. Participating in Race Across the World is a way to honor her final wish.

Katie and Harrison, siblings from Manchester, were unexpectedly recruited after their mother sent them the application link. The pair, both working in corporate roles, initially found it hard to believe they’d actually be selected.

Andrew and Molly, a geography teacher and his 23-year-old junior doctor daughter from Northern Ireland, approached the application with a sense of playful disbelief. Andrew hopes to challenge perceptions beyond his role as an educator.

The youngest duo, Kush and Jo, are childhood friends who stumbled upon the application on Instagram. The impulsive decision to apply has propelled the 19-year-old gap-year student and Jo, a college student from Liverpool, onto the world stage.

Race Across the World airs Thursday, April 2 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. The race’s demanding nature exposes vulnerabilities and tests the very fabric of relationships. The journey promises not only physical exhaustion but also emotional revelations.