Race Across The World 2024 winners reveal moment they almost fell out during intense journey - ‘I was raging’

Virgin Radio

30 May 2024, 11:57

The winners of Race Across The World 2024 have shared the one moment that almost cost them first place in the BBC travel competition. 

(Major Spoilers ahead if you’re not yet caught up with Race Across The World 2024)

The remaining four teams sped through the streets of Indonesia to make the last checkpoint in Lombok, but only one pairing could be the first to sign that all important check-in book.

After a nail-biting finish that saw best friends Alfie and Owen and mother-daughter duo Eugenie and Isabel, literally sprinting to the Lombok shoreline, it was Alfie and Owen who were first to the checkpoint, and therefore the winner of the competition and the £20,000 prize pot. 

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Alfie and Owen had plenty of amazing moments throughout the journey, from almost losing the map on the very first day to running on the beach trail of Lombok to the finish line, but there was almost a moment the pals fell out over money. 

Speaking exclusively to virginradio.co.uk after their big win, Alfie and Owen discussed the stress of making sure they were always on top of their budget, and football referee Alfie admitted while he was “always on top” of things, there was a moment that left him “raging.”

He revealed to us: “I kind of knew exactly where we were at every stage and on the race. There was never a point where we counted and we were like, ‘Oh, we haven't got much left’. We were always pretty much hitting the spot all the time. I knew that we were going to be okay.”

However, when Owen, who celebrated turning 21 on Race Across The World journey, wanted a treat to usher in his birthday, he almost got a scolding. 

“It was so stressful,” Alfie added. “Owen bought a coffee on his birthday, and I think I was genuinely raging for about 10 minutes, that wasn’t in the budget!”

Luckily for Alfie and Owen, they kept it together throughout the competition to become the series’ youngest winners ever. 

Discussing watching their incredible beach dash to the finish line, Owen explained: “I was stressed watching it back! Even though I knew what happened, it was almost like, ‘Are we sure we won?’ My heart was going.”

Their main takeaway from the competition? It turns out all the times they had to ask for help became their ultimate memory. 

Alfie shared: “I think we've always said the kindness of people is the main thing that we can take away. I will always remember the Indonesian house that we stayed in with the kids and things like that, because it was such a lovely moment. I think, generally the kindness of people.”

There was only eight minutes between Alfie and Owen and the runners-up, Eugiene and daughter Isabel, while brother and sister duo, Betty and James, landed in third and husband and wife, Stephen and Viv, came in fourth.

Following their arrival on the beach just eight minutes later to claim second place, Eugenie said: “We did it. We’ve come in a good second. If we were to lose to anybody, we always said that we would want to lose to Alfie and Owen.” 

“They’re deserving of it as well, they’ve worked hard.”

Plenty of Race Across The World fans were pleased to see the pals make it to the very end, with one fan writing on X: “I am obsessed with them. Their kindness, their open love for each other and their friendship as young men is such a beautiful thing to see.  I have never wanted anyone to win anything more.”

Another added: “So pleased for Alfie and Owen. Shed a tear at the end. Along with Betty and James they showed us just how amazing young people are.”

A third shared: “What a series! So happy for Alfie and Owen two lovely young men and great friends too.”

Catch up on all episodes of Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer.