Race Across the World
"How would you race across the globe... if you couldn't fly?"
A BBC One Original
Two teams set out on a high octane race around the globe where the only rule is there are no flights and no phones to help them. They pick their own land and sea routes, facing muddy roads, customs hurdles, and weather swings as they chase the finish line. There are no shortcuts, only grit,... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About Race Across the World
Two teams set out on a high octane race around the globe where the only rule is there are no flights and no phones to help them. They pick their own land and sea routes, facing muddy roads, customs hurdles, and weather swings as they chase the finish line. There are no shortcuts, only grit, planning, and a constant stream of small decisions that test trust and seamanship in unexpected places. With every border crossed and budget stretched, the pressure mounts while friendships are tested and pride is on the line. The clock becomes a relentless character in their global scramble. The show thrives on the unknown as teams chase time and accuracy, revealing surprising strengths and frailties in their partnership. Audiences follow the map through bustling markets and remote tracks, feeling the pressure rise with every checkpoint.
Released in 2019, the show is a British reality competition narrated by John Hannah. It exists as an original format, not adapted from any prior work.
Viewers respond to its emphasis on planning, teamwork, and endurance over flashy production. The program foregrounds real world obstacles, budget constraints, and cultural surprises, inviting reflection on how people improvise when resources shrink and time pressure grows. Personal stories and rivalries emerge without scripting, giving the show a human texture.
Its premise of long form travel without modern shortcuts has influenced audiences seeking grounded, human centered competition. By spotlighting resilience and collaboration under pressure, it helped popularize travel reality that values problem solving and cultural exchange as much as speed. It also sparked conversations about travel ethics and pace.
Awards: The show has earned positive notices from viewers and critics, but it has not become a major awards fixture. It remains noted for its bold departure from formulaic competition and its focus on ordinary challenges over spectacle.
Details
- Release Date
- March 03, 2019
- User Ratings
- 19 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 5
- Episodes
- 42
- Network
- BBC One, BBC Two
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- Reality
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Studio
- Studio Lambert
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
John Hannah
Self - Narrator (voice)
Seasons (5 seasons, 42 episodes)
Season 1
6 episodes - 2019
Season 2
9 episodes - 2020
Season 3
9 episodes - 2023
Season 4
9 episodes - 2024
Season 5
9 episodes - 2025