Watching Race Across The World brings it all back. The sounds, the smells, the stress. From the highs of sipping delicious red in Argentina to the lows of La Paz domestics, what a journey it was. One that only few lucky duos get to experience. My husband Rob and I are part of an elite club, bound by the Race, the night buses, wearing the same pants for several days (just me then?).
Rob and I appeared on – and just missed out on winning – series two of Race Across the World. It was our attempt to reconnect after a life-changing event led to a loss of hearing for Rob. We had to travel from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina with no smartphones, taking no flights and with a very limited budget. Even writing that gives me goosebumps.
People always ask me if it was really as hard as it seemed. In short, YES. I was convinced that once the cameras stopped rolling, they’d wheel out the buffet cart and hand over the keys to the luxury hotel, but heck was I wrong. I really did have to sleep in that hammock. In my case, ignorance was bliss. Never would I have put myself forward if I’d known, but goodness me I am so glad I did. It is possibly the best thing that I’ve ever done (bar keeping a pair of two-year-olds alive).
“Why did you apply?” is another question we’re often asked. Well, because who doesn’t fancy time off work to travel the world and potentially win cash enough for new bifold doors? We watched the first series ahead of a holiday to Singapore, hoping for some travel tips, and were immediately hooked. We thought we had what it took and it turns out we almost did.
In the final minutes, after a gruelling race to the summit of Cerro Alarkén, we were overtaken by uncle and nephew Emon and Jamiul. After two months of racing across the world, they won by 20 seconds. I remember shouting at Jamiul on that mountain, “Why won’t you just have another asthma attack?” Not my finest moment. I’m glad that didn’t make the edit.
Talking of the edit, there is so much that viewers don’t get to see. The crew are with you 24/7, filming around the clock – the highs, the lows, of which there are plenty. You are always with two crew members and a medic, with a local fixer close behind. The crew really don’t contribute, despite what people think – however nonsensical our decisions might be. I remember crossing into a different time zone and almost missing a vital transport link, and the crew just had to roll with it. It’s the same with our jobs directory – all genuine jobs on offer in the local areas, simply compiled.
Other questions we’re frequently asked while shopping for Tampax and Anusol piles cream (real scenarios): do the crew stay with you, and does there have to be space for them on the bus? Yes and yes. At least one of the two crew members is always with you, sleeping, eating, toileting (they might take their headphones out for this bit!). You can only travel as long as one of them can travel with you – but that never impacted our travel choices.
The hardest part of the journey was actually the aftermath. Social media in particular. We were prepped and provided with all the support you might need, but boy oh boy were those keyboard warriors cruel. Yes, how you come across is all down to the edit, and yes, not everyone is going to like you or understand your relationship, but to seek you out and abuse you? It’s vicious and nothing can really prepare you for that.
Robbie has always been my biggest champion and the race solidified that. He became my social media manager, filtering out the bad and allowing through the flood of top knot and yellow coat pictures – by then my trademark outfit. We still get recognised to this day – I think when a new series airs people go and re-watch the old ones. We absolutely love it.
It really was the most fabulous experience and we’ve made friends for life. We have summer plans to get together for Caipirinhas and re-live the excitement, adventure and trauma. And just like the rest of you, we’re very much looking forward to tuning in tonight for the final. This time from the comfort of our sofa.
The ‘Race Across the World’ finale is on tonight on BBC One at 9pm