Running the show!
As the reality race returns for a thrilling fourth series, we hear from a few of its intrepid competitors…
This fourth series of the reality contest starts in Sapporo, Japan, as five teams cross six seas, eight borders and skirt a volcanic ring of fire (eek!) to reach the finish line on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Among the teams travelling with only the cash equivalent of the airfare – no internet, bank cards or phones – are two mum-and-daughter duos: trainee clinical scientist Isabel and her teacher mum Eugenie, and snowboarding instructor Brydie and her cleaner mum Sharon. And they have mixed reactions to the no-phones rule…
“I’m loving it,” cheers Brydie. “It’s the best thing I’ve done!”
“See, it’s weird, because she’s the younger one!” laughs Sharon. “But when people message, you feel like you’re under pressure to answer.”
“Yes, you do feel that,” concurs Brydie. “But I’m quite enjoying not having [a phone]. It’s one less thing on my mind.”
“I think I’m going to find it quite difficult,” admits Isabel. “I feel like I still hear vibrations, but I think it’s just in my head!”
“The only thing that bothers me is no contact with family and friends,” reckons Eugenie. “In terms of using Google and so on, I don’t think that will be an issue: we’ll get by.”
Also competing for the cash prize of £20,000 are besties Owen and Alfie; retired couple Stephen and Viv, and siblings
Betty and James. But only some have a game plan…
“Our strategy will be utilising Makaton and communication tools that Mum uses with the special needs children she works with,” shares Isabel. “We also have little flashcards.”
“We were thinking, people can be quite visual,” explains Eugenie. “So as well as using gestures, I have some paper and markers in case we need to do some drawings, or hold up signs for hitchhiking.”
“The only thing we’re doing is sharing everything!” shares Sharon. “One’s got shampoo, the other’s got conditioner, you know, to lighten the load…”
With the first checkpoint in Nara on the Japanese island of Honshu, the teams must use their skills to get off Hokkaido. So has seeing previous series given our pairs any pointers?
“Yes, changing the time on your watch according to where you are so that you don’t miss anything!” grins Isabel. “We did that as soon as we got here.”
I have paper and pens in case we need to do any drawings! Eugenie
“We’ll be travelling at night, too,” confirms Eugenie. “That will save a bit of time…”
“We picked up on stuff like needing to bring a rain jacket or a base layer,” notes Brydie.
“We brought extra leggings, too,” nods Sharon. “And as for directions, we’re big talkers, so we’re not afraid to ask anyone!”