Fans of Race Across the World were on the edge of their seats as best friends Jo and Kush clinched victory in this year’s fiercely contested BBC adventure, navigating treacherous Mongolian landscapes in a dramatic final leg.
The ultimate checkpoint, set beside a freezing lake blanketed in deep snow, marked a first for the series. Jo and Kush arrived to find the guest book empty—an exhilarating moment that had them shouting, “We did it. We won!”
Close behind were Harrison and Katie, and Molly and Andrew, who battled head-to-head in a tense final stretch. Mark and his sister-in-law Margo completed the race despite falling 400km behind earlier.
Jo and Kush are the winners of Race Across the World 2026 (Credit: BBC)
The final episode took teams from Kharkhorin to Hatgal in Mongolia. Contestants faced a choice: a paved, longer route with taxis, buses, and trains but a 500km detour, or a direct, rugged path relying entirely on hitchhiking. Jo and Kush, leading from the previous leg, chose the daring direct route, only to hit a scheduling snag in Ulaanbaatar. “We may have made a really bad decision,” admitted Jo.
Molly and Andrew followed the direct route, using private taxis with a total cost of £155. Molly quipped, “I only let Andrew eat crisp sandwiches for six weeks!” Harrison and Katie relied on the generosity of locals, reclaiming time despite leaving nearly a day later. Meanwhile, Mark and Margo, running critically low on funds, also attempted hitchhiking to reach the finish line.
Molly and Andrew had a big disaster during their final leg (Credit: BBC)
Disaster struck Molly and Andrew when a map miscommunication led them to the wrong Jargalant, forcing a 400km detour. Tears flowed, but the resilient pair adapted, earning money herding cattle at a homestay before rejoining the race.
Before the final sprint, the teams shared the impact of their journey. Kush planned to treat his younger brothers to burgers and milkshakes and help his mum with her property dreams. Jo felt inspired to travel more, Mark vowed to embrace spontaneity, and Margo cherished the bond she deepened with her late sister’s memory in mind. Andrew congratulated Molly on her resilience, while Katie realized her own strength. Harrison resolved to enjoy life more fully.
In the end, Jo and Kush crossed the final checkpoint first, taking home the £20,000 prize. Molly and Andrew secured second place, Harrison and Katie finished third, and Mark and Margo arrived 25 hours later.
Viewers flooded social media with praise. One wrote on X, “I am SO pleased for Jo and Kush, I could literally cry.” Another added, “Made up for those lads winning #RATW great bunch of contestants tho.” And a third gushed, “So pleased for them!! Would have been happy for any of the teams tbh. So pleased for Jo and Kush though!”
Milkshakes all round for the deserving champions.
