Movies

I completed Race Across The World: The Experience and it was a LOT harder than I expected – after walking 17,000 steps in 30C heat, here’s why I’d never do the real thing

BBG News

Just like many others, I’ve found myself hooked on the popular BBC series titled “Race Across the World.” This reality show features teams competing against each other as they aim to journey through several nations, with the goal of winning a 20,000-pound cash prize at the end.

Despite not having the funds or determination to embark on an extensive journey like a 9,000-mile trip across Asia or Canada, the allure of a fresh adventure sparked by a cherished program was irresistible and I couldn’t let it slip away.

With my two pals and a seven-year-old kid from another friend, we embarked towards London to participate in Race Across The World: The Experience. This exciting competition welcomes teams of diverse age groups to navigate through challenges and uncover hidden clues to reach designated points.

Similar to the game, you’re provided with an in-game currency that you can spend to acquire clues if you find yourself stuck, and should your budget deplete, you have the option to solve puzzles instead, which we refer to as performing tasks similar to those completed by the contestants on the actual show.

On a Saturday morning, I embarked towards London’s Liverpool Street station with curiosity piqued, unsure of what awaited me as I joined the Race Across The World.

Eager to understand how they’d manage such grandeur in a format suitable for kids, I found myself intrigued by the prospect of this show being transformed into a game.

Most of the activity in this game takes place via messages exchanged on WhatsApp.

In addition to instructions provided, the same regulations as on the program are enforced during the game. This means that access to the internet, public transportation, and most crucially, Google Maps, is strictly prohibited.

For almost a decade, I’ve been based in London, and I was familiar with the particular difficulties that come with this region. I thought that this knowledge might give me an edge.

However, it transpired that my initial assessment was quite off, as I encountered this task to be much more difficult than anticipated, and it cautioned me about my slim chances in the actual scenario.

Starting the day, equipped with band-aids for blisters and a refreshing beverage, I joined my teammates at Liverpool Street Station.

Once you decide on your team’s nickname, you will receive a prompt to initiate the game. You will then be guided to the initial location, one of three checkpoints situated in cafes or bars. These convenient spots provide an opportunity for a rest if needed during your journey.

Fortunately, your initial milestone isn’t far off; it’s a nearby café where you will be provided with the initial instructions, complete with hints to guide you towards secret attractions scattered throughout the city.

Announcing your participation in the race, you’re handed a secret envelope to begin the proceedings. As you clutch your steaming beverage, the countdown begins.

If you’re interested in attempting the race yourself, I’ll make an effort not to reveal any crucial information, but let me hint that some minor details that aid in solving clues can often go unnoticed, like a name on a plaque or an engraving high up on a structure.

Taking the new route showed me unfamiliar areas of London, yet it was challenging to identify key landmarks, not to mention locating them without a map for guidance.

Instead of handling the grisly tasks that actual teams on the show encounter, our team faced challenges in the form of different puzzles. These puzzles can be quite challenging if you’re not fond of brain games or riddles.

Fortunately, I take pleasure in these tasks, and they turned out to be quite beneficial as they boosted our budget significantly when it was becoming scarce because of the necessary expenses.

After wrapping up the initial phase, I found myself deceived by a misleading feeling of confidence, having managed to unravel the riddles with seemingly effortless ease. We couldn’t help but express our delight as we unveiled intriguing tidbits about the very city that we proudly call home.

As we embarked on the second phase, I found ourselves sliding down the ranks on the leaderboard, a disappointing turn of events.

Absolutely, we also have a leaderboard where you can see how your team’s performance stacks up against the others participating. Along the journey, we encountered a few of these teams, but we made an effort to keep our advancement under wraps!

In sweltering 30-degree heat, darting through lanes and byways, I was grateful for my sunscreen, moments when the chase seemed futile in reaching the final destination, a glimmer of hope felt like a distant dream.

In the last stage, one specific hint consumed valuable time, and as we spent excessively on additional clues, repeatedly returning to the same locations, a doubt crossed my mind about whether we’d ever manage to complete.

Reaching the last milestone, it felt fantastic to hear we had arrived at our destination, and we concurred that the difficulty of the task increased as it unfolded.

Similarly to the series, upon reaching the conclusion, you’re welcome to add your signature, providing a feeling of achievement… regardless of our final position.

No matter what, the festive beverages we shared, whether they were wine or something else, were thoroughly earned, and everyone concurred that it was an enjoyable method to explore lesser-known corners of the city, far removed from the usual tourist hotspots.

If you’re not great with navigating or aren’t familiar with London, this activity might prove challenging for you.

It also became clear to me that I wouldn’t stand much chance of successfully finishing a real-world race, particularly if it involved taking on difficult tasks or challenges.

or

I came to understand that I wouldn’t have much success in actually completing a real-life race, especially when it comes to dealing with tough jobs or tasks.

Certainly, let’s put it this way: While it’s clear that this doesn’t compare to the extensive travels undertaken by actual competitors, it still makes participating even more enticing, doesn’t it? Just remember to wear comfy footwear.

Read More

2025-07-05 10:34

Previous post Single White Female star Jennifer Jason Leigh is nearly unrecognizable for rare outing in LA
Next post Blood Strike “Block Strike x TACZERO” July 2025 Update brings new Weapon, Map, features, and more