Race Across the World on BBC: How Margo and Mark are related as they reveal their tragic reason for taking part
They made a promise to a dying loved oneRace Across the World kicks off tonight with five new teams, including unlikely pairing Margo and Mark – but how are they related?
Margo and Mark haven’t always got on but have decided to embark on Race Across the World together for a very special but tragic reason.
They both are connected by the loss of a loved one – and it was her dying wish that they would become friends.
So what better way to bond than throwing on a rucksack and travelling 12,000KM across Europe and Asia?
Race Across the World: How are Margo and Mark connected?
Margo and Mark are in-laws. Retired architect Mark was married to Margo’s big sister Julie for 40 years.
But three years ago, tragedy struck. Julie became sick and Mark and Margo became her carers. Despite living in Liverpool, hypnotherapist Margo would drive to London regularly to sit with Julia in the hospital.
The pair admit there was “friction” in their in-law relationship. So before Julia died, she asked her husband and sister to promise they would become friends.
To fulfil Julia’s dying wish, they signed up to Race Across the World together.
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In tonight’s show, their differences become immediately apparent. The pair discuss whether they should go to Naples in Italy. Margo tells her brother in-law: “I love Naples!” Mark says he didn’t like it when he visited.
But Mark then explains: “I got married to Margo’s sister, who I met 40 years ago.”
Margo adds: “We’ve had a very typical in-law relationship for 40 years. In that, there has been a little bit of friction. But we worked together caring for Julia before she passed.”
Mark continues: “It was Julia’s dying wish that I make friends with Margo. The friendship actually formed while we were both caring for her.”
Mark and Margo’s race for Julia
Later in the episode, Mark and Margo open up more about how they cared for Julia in her final months and days.
Mark says: “For three years we were caring for my wife, Julia.
“My role was making sure she was comfortable and that she had square meals and all the medication. But Margo gave her the will to live. Excitement. The spark of life.”
Margo adds: “Caring for someone is not a one-man job. When she was ill, I used to go there for weeks at a time, leaving my partner behind.
“I would be sitting with her, eating sweets and laughing and giggling with her. We’d be having fun.”
With her voice cracking, Margo says: “Julia can’t go on this race. But we can. We are going to enjoy ourselves.”
During one poignant scene, the pair are listening to a street performer.
“You do wish Julia was here, don’t you?” Margo says. Mark replies: “I do, I do.”
