Get to know the five pairs taking on an epic adventure.
Race Across the World is back for another season as five new couples embark on the ultimate adventure across Eastern Asia.
Starting from northernmost Japan, the pairs will travel across six seas and eight borders, trekking across the volcanic ring of fire before reaching the finish line in Lombok.
As ever, each pair will be stripped of their smartphones, internet access and bank cards as they take on a race like no other, with them all quite literally being in the running to win £20,000.
But who are the 10 contestants taking on this epic journey for Race Across the World 2024? Read on to find out more.
Owen and Alfie
Relationship: Best friends
From: Hertfordshire
Jobs: Trainee pilot and football referee
Best friends Alfie and Owen have a determination and maturity rarely seen and while one wants to experience everything the race throws at them, the other only has eyes for the finish lines.
Speaking of why they waned to take part in Race Across the World 2024, Alfie said: “Mainly because we’re both lovers of travelling and have done a little bit of travelling before but never done the whole backpacking, country-hopping situation.”
He continued: “We thought it would be such a great experience that it would be impossible to say no to.”
Owen echoed Alfie’s thoughts and admitted they wanted to put their “friendship to the test” and see what they can achieve.
“We wanted to see how we’d deal in this sort of situation and how well we can do,” he added. “[To] see if we can make it to the end and maybe even win.”
Betty and James
Relationship: Brother and sister
From: Yorkshire
Jobs: Social media and events manager and sales consultant
Brother and sister duo Betty and James hope to share the experience of a lifetime on Race Across the World.
Opening up about why they chose each other for the race, Betty said: “I think it was because we’d always watched the show as a family, I’ve never really spoken about it with my friends, so I think it was more the natural decision to go for.”
As for a strategy, it doesn’t seem Betty and James have one going into the race.
“It’s so unknown there’s no point really trying to make a fixed plan because it could change in an instant,” James explained. “We’ll try to keep it logical: when it gets to it, don’t do anything rash, do everything with measure, but we also have no set plan.”
Eugenie and Isabel
Relationship: Mother and daughter
From: Barking/Birmingham
Jobs: Teacher and trainee clinical scientist
Eugenie and Isabel are hoping the race will improve their understanding of one another. Prior to signing up for the race, Eugenie hadn’t watched any episodes but once Isabel revealed they were going to be on the show, she began watching it and got “really excited”.
“The starting point was Isabel,” Eugenie explained. “And also, another thing is, I do anything I can to keep my kids happy including Isabel, so if it was going to keep my daughter happy then I was ready to do it.”
By signing up for Race Across the World, Isabel hoped it’d be “something cool for us to bond together”. She added: “Mum and I are not as close as we could be so I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore.”
Brydie and Sharon
Relationship: Mother and daughter
From: Kent
Jobs: Snowboard instructor and cleaner
Another mother and daughter duo joining the race is Brydie and Sharon, who are learning to embrace the challenges of travel and dyslexia.
In preparation for the series, Brydie and Sharon picked up tips from previous series. Brydie explained that they “picked up on stuff that you wouldn’t normally think of like needing to bring a rain jacket, or a base layer or a woolly hat”.
Sharon added: “We also brought extra leggings so we could double up. As for directions, we’re talkers, so not afraid to ask anyone anything.”
Stephen and Viv
Relationship: Couple
From: Rutland
Jobs: Retired
Race Across the World super fans Stephen and Viv are on a quest to prove that wisdom, perspective and maturity is the winning formula.
Having watched the series “three or four times over”, they have taken on tips from previous contestants as they embark on the ultimate race.
Viv said: “I think you both have to test each other, you both have to listen. Different opinions will happen, I think you’ve got to give a reason behind your opinion and I think we just have to listen to each other and go along with what the consensus of opinion is.”
Stephen echoed this and added: “I think talking to other people is going to be, or always seems to be, a strength in the other series, certainly.”
Race Across the World season 4 premieres on Wednesday 10th April at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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