In-Laws Make History on Race Across The World After Heartbreaking Promise
If you had to choose a companion for Race Across The World—a grueling two-month journey with constant filming, shared beds, and daily stress—your in-law might be the last pick. Yet for Margo and Mark, it was the only choice, despite admitting they were "effectively strangers." Their participation stems from a solemn vow to Mark's late wife and Margo's sister, Julia, who wished for them to bridge their distance and become friends after her passing.
A Promise Forged in Grief
To fulfill this promise, they embarked on a 12,000-mile race from Palermo, Sicily, to the remote village of Hatgal in northern Mongolia, with no phones or credit cards. "It was my idea to apply," Margo reveals. "I wanted an escape from domesticity and saw Race Across The World as the perfect adventure. Asking Mark felt right, even though we'd never choose each other for a holiday, let alone this." Mark adds, "It was her last dying wish, but I also craved the excitement of the race."
From Strangers to Tag Team
Before Julia's illness, Margo and Mark spent 37 years in mutual misunderstanding. "We tolerated each other," Margo admits. "I thought he was boring and judgmental." Mark concurs: "I thought you were loud." Their dynamic shifted when Julia fell sick, with Margo bringing joy and Mark handling medical duties. "We were a great tag team, but with very defined roles," Margo notes. "The race changed everything."
Their initial discomfort was palpable, highlighted by Mark's "modesty cocoon" sleeping bag on the first night to maintain distance. Margo laughs, "We had preconceived ideas, but it quickly became comfortable."
The Most Ambitious Course Yet
Race Across The World returns with its most challenging route to date, featuring a treacherous snow desert in the final lap and a £20,000 prize. Margo teases, "We're older but not old—wait until you see the action with the older guys." The show airs eight episodes this spring, promising high-stakes drama.
Overcoming Personal Hurdles
For Margo, reaching the starting line was a monumental task. As a carer for her 95-year-old mother, with a family and job, preparation involved logistical nightmares. "It took a whole village to get me there," she says. Her mother inadvertently helped with the cover story, inventing a tale about Margo teaching hypnotherapy in Bournemouth to keep the race secret.
Mark benefited from his son's study trip to Japan, which provided a coincidental alibi. They join four other teams: best friends Jo and Kush, siblings Katie and Harrison, cousins Puja and Roshni, and father-daughter duo Molly and Andrew.
A Legacy of Connection
Race Across The World premieres tonight at 9pm on BBC One, showcasing not just a physical journey but an emotional transformation. Margo and Mark's story underscores how grief can forge unexpected bonds, turning in-laws into allies in the ultimate test of endurance and friendship.
