Race Across the World series 4 took viewers on an epic 15,000-kilometre adventure through Eastern Asia. Five teams of two raced from the snowy north of Japan to the tropical paradise of Indonesia. Therefore, the BBC hit show delivered another season of breathtaking scenery and emotional moments .
The series aired from 10 April to 29 May 2024 on BBC One. Contestants left behind their smartphones, internet access and bank cards. As a result, they relied only on their wits, a map and the kindness of strangers to reach the finish line .
The Route and Prize Money
The race began in Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Teams had to travel 15,000 kilometres across seven countries. The journey took them through South Korea, Vietnam, and multiple Indonesian islands. The final destination was Gili Meno, a tiny islet off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia .
Contestants could not use air travel. They also had to skirt the path of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically unstable region on the planet. The first team to arrive at the final checkpoint won £20,000 .
Each team received a budget of £1,390 per person. This amount equalled the cost of the air fare for the entire route. Contestants could earn extra money through short-term work along the way .
Like Avicii took risks in his career, these contestants took huge risks by leaving their comfortable lives behind for a 50-day adventure.
Meet the Contestants of Series 4
Five diverse teams competed in this series. Each pair brought their own unique dynamic to the race.
Alfie Watts and Owen Wood (Lifelong Friends)
Alfie, 20, worked as a football referee. Owen, 20, trained as a pilot. They were the youngest contestants in Race Across the World history. The best friends from St Albans brought youthful energy and fierce competitiveness to the race .
Eugenie and Isabel (Mother and Daughter)
Eugenie, 61, was a teacher from Barking. Isabel, 25, worked as a trainee clinical scientist in Birmingham. This mother-daughter duo had a close bond and proved to be strong navigators throughout the journey .
Betty and James Mukherjee (Brother and Sister)
Betty, 25, worked as a Social Media and Events Manager from Silsden. James, 21, was a Sales Consultant from Gargrave. The siblings had very different travel styles. Betty loved immersing herself in other cultures. James preferred Ayia Napa trips with his mates .
Stephen and Viv Redding (Husband and Wife)
Stephen, 61, and Viv, 65, were retirees from Rutland. Both had recently suffered serious health problems. Their laid-back approach provided a contrast to the more frantic teams. They famously enjoyed a bath in Japanese hot springs while others stressed about the race .
Brydie and Sharon (Mother and Daughter)
Brydie, 25, was a snowboarding instructor. Sharon, 52, worked as a cleaner from Kent. Brydie had severe dyslexia but was used to asking for help. This skill proved invaluable during the race .
Like Madge from Benidorm, each contestant brought their own unique personality and backstory to the show.
Why China Was Missed from the Route
For the first time in Race Across the World history, the route skipped over a country entirely. Contestants were flown from South Korea to Vietnam. This unusual flight was organised due to “time constraints and difficulties in travel in the aftermath of the global pandemic,” the production company stated .
This marked the only time in the series that contestants were allowed to fly. It was a unique exception forced by logistical challenges rather than a change in the show’s rules .
The route otherwise followed the classic Race Across the World format with checkpoints, rest periods and no access to technology.
Winners: Alfie and Owen
Best friends Alfie and Owen emerged as the winners of series 4. The 20-year-olds showed incredible determination and strategic thinking throughout the race. They consistently placed near the front of the pack .
Results by leg showed:
- Leg 1: 2nd place
- Leg 2: 2nd place
- Leg 3: 1st place
- Leg 4: 4th place
- Leg 5: 3rd place
- Leg 6: 1st place
- Leg 7: 1st place
- Leg 8: Winners
Their victory was a testament to their youthful energy and smart budgeting. They famously declared at the start that they would “budget our bums off,” a promise they kept throughout the 51-day adventure .
The young men demonstrated that age is no barrier to success in one of television’s most challenging reality competitions.
Results Summary
The final standings for series 4 were:
- 1st place (Winners): Alfie Watts and Owen Wood
- 2nd place: Eugenie and Isabel
- 3rd place: Betty and James Mukherjee
- 4th place: Stephen and Viv Redding
- 5th place (Eliminated in Leg 3): Brydie and Sharon
Brydie and Sharon were the only team eliminated before the final leg. They departed the race after the third checkpoint .
The Reunion Episode
Six months after finishing the race, all five teams reunited in London for a special episode. They looked back at their 51-day adventure through Eastern Asia. The reunion showed unseen moments from the race and revealed shocking revelations .
Contestants shared how the experience had impacted their lives and relationships. The reunion aired on BBC Three and was also available on BBC iPlayer .
Critical Reception
Series 4 received glowing reviews from critics. The Guardian described the show as “TV that makes you feel that there is hope.” They praised the series as “a travelogue, a history lesson, an exploration of psychology, and a thrilling competition.”
Critics particularly noted how the show highlights the kindness of strangers. The linguistic barriers in Asia made this series especially challenging. Contestants could not rely on English speakers as they had in previous series set in Canada and South America .
Isabel, one of the contestants, turned out to be a language savant. She picked up Japanese at a rate that impressed her stunned mother, demonstrating the unexpected talents that emerge under pressure .
The Celebrity Spin-Off
Series 4 was preceded by a celebrity version in 2023. Famous contestants included McFly star Harry Judd, All Saints singer Mel Blatt, and racing driver Billy Monger. Each celebrity was joined by a family member for the adventure. The celebrity edition was won by broadcaster Alex Beresford and his father Noel .
The success of the celebrity version helped boost interest in the civilian series. It also demonstrated that the show’s format works across different types of contestants .
What Happened to the Winners?
The Mirror caught up with past winners as series 4 aired. Series 1 winners Tony and Elaine Teasdale, both retired PE teachers, have been travelling the world since their victory. They have visited Antarctica, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Patagonia, and New Zealand .
Series 2 winners Emon and Jamiul Choudhury used their win to reconnect with family. Emon reconciled with his father after the show aired. His father had been estranged from him for years due to his choice of spouse .
Series 3 winner Tricia Sail, who has sight loss, changed careers after the show. She now works full-time for the RNIB as a Community Connection Coordinator. She has also trekked the Great Wall of China and walked the Inca Trail .
Like Tommy Mallet found a new purpose after losing his business, these contestants found their lives transformed by their Race Across the World experience.
Series 5: What Came Next
Series 5 aired in 2025 and took contestants through China, Nepal and India. The race started at the Great Wall of China near Huanghuacheng. It finished at Kanyakumari at the tip of the Indian subcontinent. This series had the lowest budget in the show’s history at just £1,140 per person, due to the low cost of air travel in the region .
The BBC has not yet announced a sixth series. Given the show’s continuing popularity, fans are hopeful for more global adventures in the future .
Conclusion
Race Across the World series 4 delivered everything fans love about the show. Stunning scenery, challenging journeys, emotional moments and life-changing experiences. The young winners Alfie and Owen proved that age is no barrier when determination and smart planning come together.
FAQs
Who won Race Across the World series 4?
Alfie Watts and Owen Wood, two 20-year-old best friends from St Albans, won the series.
What was the route for series 4?
The route started in Sapporo, Japan, and finished on Gili Meno island off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia. It covered 15,000 kilometres across seven countries.
How much prize money did the winners receive?
The winners received £20,000.
Why did contestants fly from South Korea to Vietnam?
China was omitted from the route due to time constraints and travel difficulties following the global pandemic. Contestants were flown over the country as an exception to the usual rule.
Who narrates Race Across the World?
The series is narrated by actor John Hannah.
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