Episode 7

In the penultimate leg, the race shifts up a gear as the four remaining teams enter their eighth and final country, Mongolia. Facing freezing temperatures and rugged off-road travel, the intrepid duos set out on an expedition across the endless steppe and deep into the unknown, traversing landscapes few travellers have ever experienced. It tests every ounce of their resilience as they battle to take pole position at the final checkpoint before the finish line.

Racing from Ulgii in the west of Mongolia, the teams must travel 1,550km to reach Kharkhorin, the former capital of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan’s third son, Ögödei Khan. In a country where public transport is scarce, the teams face a crucial decision. Two main highways connect the west to the east; deciding which one to target could shape their entire race. Whichever path they choose, parts of the journey will take them off-road, relying on local car shares, taxis, and hitchhiking to make progress. But in a country where every car is a potential lift, drivers expect payment, and with fuel costs rising, negotiation is the key to success.

As they travel across the vast country, all four teams are embraced by the local communities they pass through, welcoming the pairs into their homes, traditional gers, to take shelter from the harsh conditions outside.

Best friends Jo and Kush spend the night in a family's ger, where they discover the unusual fuel used to keep it warm in sub-zero conditions. Taken to a local community hall, they meet a traditional Mongolian throat singer who sparks important memories for Kush. Katie and Harrison also get the chance to sample Mongolian nightlife, dancing the night away at a local disco. Along the way, after stopping to replenish their budget, Harrison opens up and the siblings have an important conversation about their relationship.

Father-and-daughter duo Molly and Andrew help at a nomadic encampment, mucking in with the daily routine. For geography teacher Andrew, it’s an experience that realises a lifelong dream. Meanwhile, Mark and Margo get a taste of a more modern side of ger life, staying with a family of teachers on the outskirts of Myangad and sampling suutei tsai, Mongolia’s famous salty tea.

As the teams race across the icy steppe towards Kharkhorin, they battle the unpredictability of transport in Mongolia, where any delay could prove costly. With £20,000 at stake, everyone is fighting to take the lead at this crucial stage of their Race Across the World.