WORLD IN MOTION

AS THE LATEST SERIES BEGINS, YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI MEETS THE NEW BATCH OF CONTESTANTS ATTEMPTING TO RACE ACROSS THE WORLD

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LAST year, best friends Alfie and Owen were crowned the winners of Race Across the World, netting £20,000 in the process.

Who will follow in their well-worn and very tired footsteps in 2025?

If youth prevails again, it looks good for Fin and Sioned from Carmarthen in Wales. The teenagers are looking to spread their wings and see the big wide world, although it proves to be a daunting task at first.

Sixtysomething brothers Brian and Melvyn have spent little time with each other since childhood, and are hoping the trip will help them reconnect, while sisters Elizabeth and Letitia have travelled extensively but never with each other.

Then there's 60-year-old housewife Caroline who wants to prove she's more than just 'mum' to her son Tom; he, meanwhile, wants her to see the world through his eyes.

Finally, there's Yin and Gaz. They have known each other for 35 years and have perhaps the best backstory. They used to be married.

"I wouldn't probably do this with anyone other than Yin," says Gaz, 54. "I know that sounds weird, because we're not together, we're not husband and wife, but we're still best mates. And I think even now, could I do this with my brother? No. Could I do this with any other mates? No. And Yin was pretty much the same."

After they split, Yin found another partner, Chris, who died suddenly last September. She moved back in with Gaz a year ago and he helped her through her grief.

Yin, also 54, says: "I definitely see it like a gift from Chris. I know he's gone but I do think that he has had a meddling hat in this.