RACE ACROSS THE WORLD: MEET THE PAIRS FOR SERIES 3
Race Across the World is back, this time on BBC One and iPlayer, as five teams attempt to race sixteen thousand kilometres through the second largest country in the world – Canada.
Without smartphones, internet access and credit cards, and armed only with the cash equivalent of the airfare to fly the route, our teams travel this extraordinary journey at ground level.
Their skill, ingenuity and determination will be tested to the extreme as they race through some of the world’s most remote regions, where they must also rely on the kindness of strangers in order to stand the best chance of reaching the finish line. This series takes viewers on the trip of a lifetime, following our racers as they embark on an epic and adrenaline-fuelled adventure, travelling into the unknown without the trappings of modern life.
MEET THE PAIRS
Names: Claudia and Kevin Ages: 27 and 53 Locations: Southampton Occupations: Product Development and Buying and Marine Canopy Maker
What made you want to take part in the series? Claudia: I am looking for some adventure, a reason to explore and develop our relationship. An excuse to get closer to dad, spend some time together and hopefully create some incredible memories.
Kevin: I think we've both had bizarre lives, we've done a bit of travelling. It all got a bit calm so when you start seeing a programme like Race Across the World, you think, ‘Oh, my God, this is exactly what we need.’ But at the time, it's an application form you fill out and you think there’s maybe 14 million to 1 odds. You never think it will happen to you.
Names: Tricia and Cathie Ages: 48 and 49 Locations: Devon and South Wales Occupations: Bank Clerk and Company Director, Local Pharmacy
What made you want to take part in the series?
Cathie: Initially, when Trish asked me if I fancied doing something completely bonkers, I said ‘yes! That sounds great’. I love to travel but it was very much as a support to Trish. As time has gone on and we've got further and further into the process, it's become much more about me having a break from being something to everybody, and just having some time to be selfish and do what I want to do.
Tricia: Firstly, because I like doing bonkers things. But for me, it's to prove to myself that with my sight loss I can still do stuff and that I'm not sight loss Tricia, I'm Tricia with sight loss – because a lot of people do label you. I also want to get it out there that people that have got sight loss can still do whatever they want to do, obviously, apart from driving.
Names: Mobeen and Zainib Ages: 31 and 32 Locations: Manchester and from Glasgow, living in Manchester Occupations: Trauma Orthopedic Surgeon, Trainee Registrar and Psychiatrist
What made you want to take part in the series?
Zainib: I think there's personal reasons, individually, and there's a collective reason for both of us. I think the both of us have always spoken about wanting to get a sense of adventure, wanting to go out there and do something that's out of the ordinary, but then we very gradually and sort of almost insidiously slipped into this life of nine to five, working and then coming home and that sense of adventure was completely gone.
Mobeen: It’s an amazing opportunity to switch off from life, which can sometimes seem to become a bit mundane, which it probably has been and the pandemic added to that. This is just one of those opportunities that doesn’t come around very often. We are very grateful to be sat here about to do this crazy journey.
Names: Marc and Michael Ages: 36 and 34 Locations: Tamworth and West Midlands Occupations: Lift operator and Manager in Children’s services
What made you want to take part in the series?
Michael: There are a few reasons, really. I want to take part in it with Marc because we’ll get an opportunity to build a better relationship. It's a unique chance to have protected time out of our individual lives, do something together and share some incredible experiences.
Marc: I'd say probably more of the same. But also, it's a chance to have one more adventure. I'm at a stage where I'm ready to settle down, but I also want to travel.
Names: Ladi and Monique Ages: 52 and 25 Locations: Essex and East London Occupations: Sport and Physical Activity professional / Consultancy and Event Manager
What made you want to take part in the series? Monique: I want to challenge myself to be able to experience countries in a way that I probably never would unless it was a show like this. And who better to go with than my dad, because I feel like I need someone who's older, wiser and knows more about the world than I do.
Ladi: I fully appreciate that answer: older, wiser, knows more about the world. I think for me, the motivation for doing this show is that I'm going to spend quality time with my daughter that I will probably never ever get again. Yes, she's my daughter, and she's always around, she's my princess, but she's entering into her own adulthood in a way.
Race Across The World returns Wednesday 22nd March at 9pm on BBC One.