Alfie and Owen, the champions of Race Across the World, have revealed to the BBC that it was a challenging task to maintain the confidentiality of their triumph. The duo, both 21 years old and both from Hertfordshire, emerged as the frontrunners and successfully reached the final checkpoint in Lombok, securing the coveted £20,000 prize. They defeated the mother and daughter pair, Eugenie and Isabel, who finished only eight minutes later. They have achieved the distinction of being the youngest team to be awarded the championship title on the critically acclaimed BBC One Show that has won a Bafta.

During their appearance on BBC Breakfast, they said that they were only able to inform immediate family members, while receiving daily inquiries from friends. Additionally, Alfie expressed his belief that they handled the competition more well than anticipated. Owen said that he had anticipated a significant altercation, but it did not occur. Football referee Alfie and training pilot Owen outperformed siblings Betty and James, who placed third, as well as couple Stephen and Viv, who ended last. Brydie and Sharon, who are mother and daughter, were removed in a previous episode of the series. According to overnight viewership data from Barb, the finale on Wednesday had been seen by 3.8 million people. The first episode of the series had the most viewership across all seasons of the program. Based on the 28-day ratings, the series has achieved an unprecedented viewership of almost seven million individuals, including those who watched it on catch-up.

The teams started the race at the northernmost region of Japan and embarked on a 15,000km journey throughout six countries in eastern Asia, spanning over a period of 50 days. The last segment of the voyage began in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Owen and Alfie were 12 minutes ahead of Eugenie and Isabel. They encountered a significant obstacle when they found out that the boat to the ultimate destination, the little island of Gili Meno, only operates during daylight hours. This compelled them to wait until dawn to begin their journey. As a result of the delay, Eugenie and Isabel were able to meet up, and both teams departed in fast boats at dawn.

Best moment of our lives

Alife and Owen eagerly opened the last visitor book, filled with excitement and embraced each other while exclaiming, «We have accomplished it!». Alfie characterized the victory as the «supreme moment of our existence» and further stated: «It gives the impression that we have acquired extraordinary recollections, unimaginable encounters». During an interview on BBC Breakfast, Alfie expressed his awe-inspiring experience of the whole journey, describing it as «extraordinary». He conveyed his profound gratitude for having the opportunity to see destinations that are inaccessible to many individuals. On the following day, Betty and James arrived in third place, behind the victors by a time difference of 24 hours and 34 minutes. Betty said that as a result of this experience, we have acquired improved communication skills and gained an additional source of support. The experience is awe-inspiring.

Stephen and Viv finished the race with a time delay of 30 hours and 20 minutes compared to the winners. Upon contemplation of their fourth place result, they expressed their disappointment at not emerging as the victors, while also expressing their satisfaction for their teammates. On social media, the young lads have received high appreciation from admirers, with one individual expressing their intense admiration by stating: «I am completely captivated by them». Their benevolence, their unabashed affection for one another, and their camaraderie as youthful individuals is a very captivating sight. I have never had a stronger desire for someone to achieve victory. Another individual expressed a strong desire for Alfie to become victorious in a television competition. His mother would feel immense pride in him.

In a previous episode, Alfie discussed the passing of his mother when he was only five years old. While at Hoi An, Vietnam, he ignited a buoyant lantern for her, gently propelling it over the water's surface, and expressed: «This is the initial occasion during the race where I have had the chance to contemplate my mother». I am now overwhelmed with a flood of emotions that I have not experienced since my childhood. I only want the experience of seeing her presence once again. Both young men have persisted in their pursuit of their interest for traveling. Alfie has been engaged in traveling since the show, while Owen plans to go on another travel adventure in September when he visits Asia.