After a three-year wait due to the pandemic, the BAFTA-winning series, Race Across The World season 3 is underway in a new location and with five new pairs of contestants.
This time, the race is taking place entirely in Canada. This means our racers have all sorts of obstacles to navigate, including wild bears to contend with, bison to admire, crystal clear lakes to cross, and forests to get lost in.
With no mobile phones, internet access, or credit cards to assist them and a £20,000 pot of prize money up for grabs for the fastest team, the race is on for our intrepid teams.
The pairs began their adventure in Stanley Park, Vancouver on the Pacific coast and are now more than halfway through their adventure already. As they continue, they'll have to continue to employ their wits, ingenuity, and rely on the kindness of strangers to help them complete their 16,000km race across six time zones by land en route to North America’s most easterly city, St John’s Newfoundland.
Race Across The World season 3 — air date and next episode
The new series of Race Across The World started on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 9 pm on BBC One and iPlayer, where you can stream every episode so far if you're not quite caught up.
The next episode airs on Wednesday, April 26 at 9 pm in the same places. This time around, they'll be trying to find a route to their next checkpoint in Quebec City.
This could be an easier journey for the teams to make, as they'll pass through several major Canadian cities on the way, though they will also have to contend with the fact that they're travelling during the same weekend as the Canadian Grand Prix. Oh, and Claudia and Kevin are taking a detour to Niagara Falls—will their diversion set them back on track?
Race Across The World season 3 — where are the contestants traveling and what will they get up to?
The pairs started their journey at the very edge of the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver.
They will attempt to travel over 16,000 kilometers across six time zones all at ground level to the finish line perched on the rugged Atlantic coast, North America’s most easterly city: St John’s, Newfoundland.
The journey will take the duos through “the very edges of civilization, taking in vast prairies, untouched wilderness, and great lakes”.
What are the rules of Race Across The World?
The couples aren’t allowed to use air travel and must go without the trappings of modern-day life. That means no mobile phone, no internet access and no credit cards.
Each couple is given an equal amount of cash at the start of the journey and if they need any more, they have to find ways to earn it. That might mean mucking out livestock, helping with light construction work or getting free lifts to help them on their way. Winning requires ingenuity, luck and the kindness of strangers!
Whoever reaches the finish line at the final location in St John’s Newfoundland the quickest will be crowned the winner and pocket the £20,000.
Is there a trailer for Race Across The World season 3?
Yes, you can see how the teams get on below...
Race Across The World season 3 — meet the contestants
Ladi and Monique — father and daughter
Monique, 25, who is travelling with her dad, Ladi, 52, knows she will be pushed way out of her comfort zone. The event manager confesses "I don’t actually travel, I’ve never owned a backpack, I don’t do the whole camping thing, that’s not me but I want to be able to experience countries in a way I never would unless it was a show like this."
Ladi says, "I know we’re going to have an absolute ball. She is my Princess and I will protect her through hell and high water. We are close as father and daughter and I think this will cement our relationship even further."
Monique has been preparing for the trip and says, "I got my hair braided because it’s practical, I got acrylics because I like getting my nails done and I’ve tried to brush up on my French but that didn’t go so well."
When it comes to being without a bank card or mobile phone Ladi’s not worried. He says, "I’m old school so I’m used to cash. My life is busy and 24/7, I need a break away from everything where no one can contact me!"
Tricia and Cathie — best friends
Company director Cathie, 49 and bank clerk Tricia, 48, have been best mates since they met at school aged 13 and say they’ve always loved doing ‘bonkers’ things together. "I wouldn’t want to do this with anybody else", says Tricia. "Cathie is the tonic to my gin." Cathie adds, "When we were young she was always getting me to do mad things I would never have thought of doing on my own!"
Tricia has sight loss and says, "For me it’s to prove to myself that I can still do it. I’m not ‘sight loss Tricia’, I’m ‘Tricia with sight loss.’ It’s about getting some of my confidence back."
When it comes to strategy Cathie says, "We’re both cheeky enough to just go up to people and ask for help. The Canadians are friendly so we certainly won’t be afraid of doing that."
Cathie has packed a special item in her rucksack. "I’ve got my St Christopher that my husband Gareth gave me. His mum gave it to him when he was quite young to protect him when he went backpacking around the world so I’ve got that and that’s very special to me."
Marc and Michael — brothers
Michael, 34, and his older brother Marc, 36, are hoping the adventure will bring them closer. Michael, a manager in children’s services, says, "I really want to take part with Marc because we’ll get the opportunity to build a better relationship." Marc adds, "I think we’ve got a lot we need to sort out to be honest. There’s a lot we don’t know about each other!"
However Marc is worried he’ll find the reality extremely testing. "Limited budget, tiredness, hunger and no coffee, it will be hard" he says, "Lack of food and sleep are quite a big challenge for me and we’ve both agreed it’s going to be tough."
When plotting their route Michael says, "We want to stay country-based and avoid cities because then we get to see things we wouldn’t ordinarily see and it might also be cheaper."
Marc, who’s packed a pair of lucky Batman socks that he saves for interviews and going on dates, adds, "It’s a chance for us to go off-road and see things we wouldn’t see in a catalogue or on Google!"
Mobeen and Zainib — married couple
The married couple who live in Manchester say their goal was to inject more excitement into their lives. Glaswegian Zainib, 32, who works as a psychiatrist, says, "We need that sense of adventure. We’ve slipped into this life of nine to five, coming home, and watching TV. We’re in our early 30s but we are living like we’re in our 80s!"
Her husband Mobeen, 31, an orthopaedic surgeon says, "Our strategy is making sure we work as a team and to appreciate each other’s qualities because we both bring different things to the table."
Zainib has been swotting up ahead of the race and says she’s watched the first two series of Race Across The World multiple times. "I’ve taken notes and I’ve also been on backpacking blogs and read through tips and tricks of how to survive out in the wilderness."
Mobeen adds, "I’ve packed a lot of compression boxers because I may have a bit of a chafing problem if I’m expected to be somewhere hot and sweaty!"
Claudia and Kevin — father and daughter
The daughter and dad duo from Southampton say they don’t have a winning plan and are both natural procrastinators. "I’d love to say we’ve thought that far ahead" says Kevin, 53, "But I think we’re literally just winging it, seeing what’s right at the time and deciding between the two of us."
Claudia, 27, adds, "Dad and I bring out the best and the worst in each other. Our ideas of key things to pack are very different! He’s already questioned my choices of shampoo and conditioner. He’s just packed a bar of soap. He drives me crazy but we have a similar passion for adventure."
Kevin agrees saying, "I think it’s the unknown that makes us tick. How many parents do I know that have ever travelled with their children? I don’t think there are many out there. I’m actually looking forward to having all the luxuries of daily life taken away, it’ll be like going back to the past."
Where did series one and series two of Race Across The World take place?
Series one saw the teams race from London to Singapore.
Series two saw the teams race from Mexico City to Argentina.
