Race Across the World is the ultimate reality TV show. Pairs, sometimes a married couple, sometimes a mother and daughter, sometimes two friends, embark on the journey of a lifetime. Their challenge is to race against rival teams to a destination on the other side of the world, without travelling by plane.
They’re not allowed to use their phones, and have a budget that’s equivalent to the price of a plane ticket to the final destination. This sum needs to include accommodation and food. A near impossible task, there are, luckily, ways for the pairs to top up their cash flow.
It’s an exciting, winning formula: not only do audiences get to travel around the world alongside the pairs, seeing exquisite shots of some of the most beautiful places on Earth, but the series is also about the developing relationships between the participants.
After all, it’s no easy competition, and relationships are put under pressure as individuals tire of each others’ non-stop company. But usually the intensity brings out the best in people, and parents and children, siblings and friends grow much closer throughout the process.
With the second season of the celebrity spin-off set to start on BBC One on Wednesday, here are some of our favourite moments from the show’s four seasons.
Cathie and Tricia’s heart-warming friendship
We were all rooting for Cathie and Tricia, two friends who well and truly needed some time off: Cathie and her husband had been running two pharmacies throughout the pandemic, and Cathie is close to tears when she explains the pressure she felt to keep her employees safe.
She says she agreed to sign up for the show for her friend Tricia, but comes to realise that she needed to escape too. A pleasure to watch the pair’s friendship throughout the series, it’s the cherry on the cake when they win.
The comments under this clip mirror how we felt watching them: “Cathie seems like a brilliant and real friend,” says one; “You are both such incredible role models for me! Keep on doing what you’re doing!” says another.
Marc and Michael make it to Canada
Another lovely duo from series three, it was fantastic to watch Marc and Michael’s leg through mountainous Canada. The scenery around them was truly astounding, with brothers enveloped by huge, snow-topped Ruby Mountains, lakes and forests of fir trees. But it was wilderness guide Ron, elder of the Wolf clan, who really made the segment a standout.
The trio jump in a dingy and head down a river; Marc talks about the way his imagination can sometimes make him anxious. But he overcomes his fears and it pays off: they see a moose and he says his confidence has been boosted.
Zainib and Mobeen and a sweet moment with a stranger
Husband and wife team Zainib and Mobeen made everyone laugh with their constant bickering and competitiveness. But they also had their fair share of tender moments. This was one of their sweetest: while hitchhiking, trying to get someone to take them a whopping 700km across Canada, they bump into Corey. Corey had been planning a “nature day”, but agrees to change his plans and help out the couple for a mere $250. It’s May 1st, the day he would usually jump into the lake with his best friend, his dog. Now she’s died, Corey had planned to jump into a lake anyway. Zainib and Mobeen offer to join him, a lovely scene.
Claudia and Kevin take part in a ceremony
Kevin was busy working away and so couldn’t offer his daughter Claudia the stability she needed growing up. So, with her parents divorced, she was raised by her late grandparents: “I had the best upbringing anyone would ever wish for,” said Kevin. “I knew that with Claudia being around my mum and dad, she was also going to have the same upbringing.” But it means that today, the father and daughter are not as close as they could be.
In this touching scene the duo take part in a traditional tobacco ceremony in Saskatoon. Thinking about the people they’ve lost and the things they’re grateful for, Claudia bursts into tears. It’s a moment of clarity for Kevin: “I think I’m now understanding that Claudia really wants a dad rather than just a mate. I’m going into tomorrow with a real clear head.”
Betty and James won over the public
Before the show, brother and sister Betty and James lived separate lives, barely in touch. But when Betty decided she wanted to take part in the adventure show, and her other brother was busy, she asked James if he’d sign up with her and he agreed. It made them a standout couple of series four, as the siblings grew closer, capturing the hearts of thousands in the process. “Looking back, I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else,” said James.
Alfie and Owen keep their eyes on the prize
Alfie and Owen, two 20-year-old best friends, were hyper-focused on winning the £20,000 prize from the very start. And it paid off, with the trainee pilot and football referee winning season four. They were a joy to watch as they grumbled, sulked, made plans (which included a visit to a penis park), and shared some of their more personal stories.
