Race Across the World

Six adventurous couples take part in an exhausting elimination race that takes them from Istanbul to Singapore. With a budget equivalent to just two plane tickets, they cover over 14,000 kilometers overland, entirely without mobile phones, bank cards, or other modern devices. This challenge tests not only their physical endurance but also their strategic insight and perseverance. Who will brave the vast and diverse landscapes of Asia, who will be the first to reach the final destination in Singapore, and who will go home with the prize money of 15,000 euros?

The teams are heading to the The teams are heading to the first checkpoint in Mersin, in southern Turkey. Not all participants are having a trouble-free race. While Guido and Elise enjoy an impressive hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Irene and Vince are pulling out all the stops to make up for lost time. Amidst the vast rose fields, Slaby reflects on his childhood in Morocco, while Jan and Mick showcase their culinary talents and impress at a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant. in Mersin, in southern Turkey. Not all participants are having a trouble-free race. While Guido and Elise enjoy an impressive hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Irene and Vince are pulling out all the stops to make up for lost time. Amidst the vast rose fields, Slaby reflects on his childhood in Morocco, while Jan and Mick showcase their culinary talents and impress at a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant.

The teams embark on the second leg towards Tbilisi, Georgia a challenging journey of over 1,500 kilometers. Upon opening the envelope, they face an unpleasant twist: the team that arrives last in the capital will be irrevocably eliminated from the race. Slaby and Eric are determined to make up their twelve-hour deficit, as are Irene and Vince, who are also pulling out all the stops. Meanwhile, Jan and Mick are neck and neck with Guido and Elise, further heightening the tension during this crucial stage of the competition.

The teams are on their way and the stakes are high: the team that arrives last in Tbilisi is definitively out of the race. Yet there remains room for unique excursions and valuable interactions with the local community. Jan is confronted with his fear of heights during a challenging activity at high altitude, while Hamza and Stephen use their skills on a Turkish goose farm, where they contribute to the daily work and care of the animals.

Following the unexpected departure of one of the teams in Tbilisi, the five remaining teams continue their challenging journey toward the final destination, Singapore. In this leg, the route takes them across the vast plains of Kazakhstan to the heart of Uzbekistan. The leading pair sets off with a significant advantage over the team trailing by a full twelve hours. However, upon arriving at the Uzbek border, the participants face an unforeseen turn of events: the celebration of the Persian New Year. This national holiday brings daily life to a standstill and has a major impact on the course of the race.

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From beautiful Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the five teams continue their race to the next checkpoint in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The stakes are high in this leg, as the adventure ends for the team that arrives last at the checkpoint. Following their comeback at the previous checkpoint, one of the teams gets to set off first, closely followed by another team.

This is a crucial moment for the five teams. Their route takes them from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to Almaty, Kazakhstan—a leg that could determine whether they stay in the race. The team that reaches the checkpoint last will be irrevocably eliminated. While three teams have already crossed the border into Kazakhstan, the remaining teams are still in Uzbekistan. They face the challenge of making strategic decisions under pressure and picking up the pace to survive the race. Tension is high, and every choice could make the difference between continuing and dropping out.

With only four teams remaining in the competition, the fifth leg begins today. This leg covers an impressive distance of 3,000 kilometers, stretching from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Chongqing in the People's Republic of China. The participants face an extraordinary challenge: they must navigate their way across this vast country without using a phone, relying solely on a map, pen, and paper. This demands not only physical stamina but also strategic insight and top-tier navigation skills.

The teams are making their way to the checkpoint in the impressive metropolis of Chongqing, located in the heart of China. While facing the challenges of the language barrier, they simultaneously experience rich Chinese culture and extraordinary hospitality. During their journey, they visit iconic sightssuch as the majestic giant pandas and the world-famous Terracotta Army that leave a lasting impression. They traverse the vast landscape on high-speed bullet trains, steadily advancing toward the checkpoint that brings them ever closer to their next destination.

The teams begin the sixth leg of the race, traveling from Chongqing, China, to Hanoi, Vietnam. After an impressive comeback in the previous leg, one team is back firmly in contention, while the other participants have suddenly fallen significantly behind. Guido and Elise experience intense moments on the world's highest glass bridge.

The checkpoint in Hanoi opens today, while the teams are still scattered across southern China. One team is racing to catch up but receives bad news. Due to the similarity of Chinese place names, reaching the next checkpoint proves more difficult than expected. Each team is striving to be the first to arrive in Hanoi, as it won't be long before another team has to go home.

The teams depart from Hanoi, heading toward the next checkpoint in Udon Thani, Thailand. The journey will take them through Vietnam and the beautiful, unspoiled landscapes of Laos. The stakes are high, as the final team to arrive in Udon Thani will be eliminated. One team gets off to a lightning-fast start but they’ve failed to read the fine print for this leg of the race.