Two schoolmates, Alfie Watts and Owen Wood, took on the BBC programme Race Across the World and managed to maintain their friendship despite the stresses of their journey. The duo were among five pairs tasked with racing across Asia from Japan to Lombok without access to phones or bank accounts. They both reflected on their experience, with Watts noting that they emerged from the show thinking they had no arguments but couldn’t recall everything that happened. Wood emphasized that the person you undertake such a challenge with is critical to the journey’s success.
The BAFTA-winning series returns to BBC One, with competitors crossing six seas and eight borders to reach the finish line in Lombok, where a cash prize of £20,000 awaits the first to arrive. Watts and Wood highlighted the challenges of not having access to technology during the race, emphasizing the need for resourcefulness and creativity. Despite this obstacle, they were able to communicate with locals and find excellent places to eat, praising Asian hospitality’s warmth and friendliness compared to what they were used to at home.
Both competitors expressed that their friendship remained strong after completing the show, with Wood noting that local knowledge proved more valuable than Google during their journey. The first episode of Race Across the World will be available on Wednesday evening on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
