Race Across the World 2023: Release date, location, and latest news

From two father-daughter duos to a team of best friends, the relationships of five pairs are going to be put to the test by shrinking budgets, tricky checkpoints and various side-challenges as the show's contestants attempt to get from one side of Canada to the other.

With £20,000 up for grabs, the 2023 cast will be heading on the trip of a lifetime as they try to get to Newfoundland from Vancouver — a 16,000km journey.

Before the much-anticipated new season lands on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about Race Across the World season 3, which is moving from BBC Two to BBC One for the next competition.

Race Across the World season 3 start date

The BBC has confirmed a start date for Race Across the World — and it's not too far away!

The new season will kick off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 22nd March at 9pm.

Race Across the World season 3 line-up

Five teams of racers will be taking part in the competition, and this time the pairs include siblings, father and daughters, best pals and one husband and wife duo.

The new season will introduce us to:

• Cathie and Tricia (best friends)
• Kevin and Claudia (father and daughter)
• Ladi and Monique (father and daughter)
• Marc and Michael (siblings)
• Zainib and Mobeen (married couple)

How does Race Across the World work?

In each season, contestants traverse thousands of kilometres, sometimes across countries and even continents, from a starting point to a finish line. The first instalment of the series kicked off in London and finished in Singapore, while the second began at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City and ended in Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

Sounds simple, right? Well, there are a few major catches. The pairs must race each other to a series of checkpoints — so they can't just travel from the start straight to the finish — are not allowed to travel by air.

They also can’t use modern essentials like mobile phones, credit cards or the internet. Instead, they are given a lump sum of cash (the equivalent to a one-way air fare) at the start of their journey – and if they run out or need more, they will have to earn some themselves. In order to succeed, they must think outside the box.

Retired PE teachers Elaine and Tony emerged victorious in season 1, with Emon and Jamiul then taking the prize money in the second season.

Race Across the World 2023 location

In season 3, contestants will start off in Vancouver and aim to end up in St John’s, Newfoundland, North America’s easternmost city.

The 16,000 kilometre journey will take them across six time zones, and for the first time, the teams will be presented with bear spray before setting off on their trek.

Race Across the World trailer

The first teaser trailer for the new season was released earlier this month and gave us our first glimpse at the "five pairs of ordinary Brits" who will be racing to complete this epic journey across Canada.

The short video shows the contestants running through towns, traversing rocky terrain, canoeing across a lake and jumping in the snow — as well as cleaning toilets (presumably in order to make some extra cash). As narrator John Hannah puts it, "It's no holiday."

Race Across the World season 3 is coming to BBC One on Wednesday 22nd March at 9pm. Previous seasons are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

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