Race Across The World start date, route and contestants in new series

Race Across The World returns to BBC One and iPlayer with a brand new series starting on Wednesday, 10 April.

The hit show sees teams of contestants racing thousands of miles across the globe without using air travel or other modern technology.

After giving up their phones, internet access and credit cards, the contestants have to make their way to the finish line with just the cash equivalent of the airfare to the destination.

When to watch

Race Across The World series four begins on Wednesday, 10 April at 9PM on BBC One and iPlayer.

The series will run for nine episodes and air weekly.

In a frenetic race across the world, travellers can choose any route they like – but no flights or phones are allowed. On the trip of a lifetime, which pair will finish first?

The route

This year’s journey takes us to Eastern Asia, where five daring pairs will embark on an awe-inspiring race covering 15,000 kilometres through multiple countries.

Starting from the northern reaches of Japan, their adventure will see them navigating across six seas and crossing eight borders, tracing the edge of the volatile ring of fire – Earth’s most geologically unstable zone – to reach their final destination in Lombok, an enchanting Indonesian island haven.

Stripped of their smartphones, internet access, and bank cards, this challenge will test the teams in unprecedented ways, pushing them to the brink of their physical and emotional endurance.

Yet, with their feet firmly on the ground and their eyes wide open, the rewards promise to be immense, and the memories, unforgettable. In the end, only one pair will triumph, clinching the coveted cash prize of £20,000 as they all compete to cross the finish line first.

Meet the contestants

For series four, the teams include: two mother and daughter duos, Brydie and Sharon and Eugenie and Isabel; best friends, Alfie and Owen; married couple, Stephen and Viv and brother and sister, Betty and James.

Ahead of the upcoming fourth series, another has already been confirmed and applications are open now.

Meanwhile, Celebrity version of Race Across the World will also return with its second series later this year.

The debut season featured McFly’s Harry Judd and his mother Emma; racing sensation and TV pundit Billy Monger with sister Bonny; artist Mel Blatt alongside her mother Helene; and TV presenter Alex Beresford with his father Noel.

The first three series of Race Across The World are available to stream now via BBC iPlayer.