Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 was won by broadcaster Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon Kemp, who reached the finish line in Colombia just two minutes ahead of runners-up Tyler West and Molly Rainford. The third celebrity series of the hit BBC show premiered on November 6, 2025, and concluded on December 11, 2025. This season featured four celebrity pairs racing 5,900 kilometers from Isla Mujeres, Mexico, to the Península de La Guajira in Colombia without the use of smartphones, credit cards, or air travel. The competing lineup included Derry Girls star Dylan Llewellyn, broadcaster Anita Rani, and DJ Tyler West, each accompanied by a close family member or partner.
In this comprehensive 2026 review, you will find every detail of the high-stakes journey through Central America. We explore the tactical decisions made at key checkpoints in Guatemala and El Salvador, the dramatic withdrawal of one team due to budget depletion, and the nail-biting footrace that decided the winners on a Colombian clifftop. Whether you are a fan of the “Red Team” or interested in the logistics of racing through the Darién Gap, this authoritative guide provides a factual, scannable breakdown of one of the most intense seasons in the franchise’s history.
2025 Winners: Roman and Harleymoon Kemp
Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon were crowned the winners of Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 after an exhausting 30-day journey. They secured their victory by a mere 120 seconds, marking one of the closest finishes in the show’s history since its inception in 2019.
The siblings utilized a high-risk, high-reward strategy that involved taking multiple overnight buses to conserve their limited budget. Despite a two-hour traffic jam in the final leg and a grueling mountain climb at the finish, their resilience allowed them to write their names in the guestbook first.
The Epic 2025 Central American Route
The 2025 race spanned approximately 3,700 miles across seven different countries. Starting at the easternmost point of Mexico, the teams navigated through the jungles of Guatemala, the volcanic landscapes of El Salvador, and the coastal beauty of Costa Rica and Panama before reaching South America.
The journey was specifically designed to be remote and challenging, forcing teams to rely on local knowledge and erratic public transport. The route concluded at the northernmost tip of the South American continent, a location chosen for its breathtaking but difficult-to-reach clifftops.
Critical Checkpoints and Legs
- Leg 1: Isla Mujeres, Mexico to Flores, Guatemala.
- Leg 2: Flores, Guatemala to El Zonte, El Salvador.
- Leg 3: El Zonte, El Salvador to Valle de Ángeles, Honduras.
- Leg 4: Valle de Ángeles to San José, Costa Rica.
- Leg 5: Costa Rica to Medellín, Colombia.
- Leg 6: Medellín to Península de La Guajira, Colombia.
Celebrity Cast and Finishing Positions
The 2025 lineup was a “family affair,” featuring four pairs who shared deep personal bonds. The competition showcased a mix of actors, presenters, and musicians, all stripped of their usual luxuries and forced to live on a budget equivalent to a one-way airfare.
Dylan and Jackie Llewellyn made the difficult decision to withdraw during the final leg in Colombia. After reaching the penultimate checkpoint with only £14 remaining, they realized they could not physically or financially complete the final 370km trek.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Watch
- Channel: BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
- Episodes: 6 one-hour episodes (including the reunion special).
- Release Date: November 6 to December 11, 2025.
The Budget and Rules
Each pair was given a total budget of roughly £1,500 to £2,000 (the cash equivalent of the flight) to cover all transport, food, and accommodation. They were prohibited from using any internet-enabled devices or accepting help from the production crew, though they could work for locals to earn extra cash.
What to Expect
Viewers can expect a focus on interpersonal relationships under pressure. Unlike the standard version of the show, the celebrity edition often highlights the emotional growth between the stars and their loved ones as they navigate language barriers and physical exhaustion.
Contestants Overview
Four celebrity pairs swapped fame for backpacks in Celebrity Race Across the World 2025. Roman Kemp, a 32-year-old broadcaster, teamed with his 36-year-old singer-songwriter sister Harleymoon, testing his anxiety recovery through grueling travel. Anita Rani, Countryfile host and author, journeyed with her father Bal, a retired entrepreneur, blending family bonds with adventure.
Actor Dylan Llewellyn from Derry Girls raced alongside his mother Jackie, bringing humor to tough moments. Partners in crime, presenter DJ Tyler West and actress-singer Molly Rainford, used their energy to push through as fiancés craving a gap-year vibe.
Route Breakdown
The 5,900 km route kicked off on Isla Mujeres, Mexico’s Caribbean gem, in late 2025. Teams crossed Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and ended in Colombia’s vibrant Cartagena. No flights meant buses, hitchhiking, boats, and walking through rainforests, volcanoes, and colonial towns.
Each leg tested navigation without phones or maps, forcing local interactions. From Mayan ruins in Belize to Pacific surfing spots in Nicaragua, the path highlighted Central America’s raw beauty and hidden dangers like floods or scams.
Leg 1: Mexico to Belize
Starting October 2025, duos departed Isla Mujeres via ferry to mainland Mexico. They traversed Cancun’s tourist traps into Yucatan’s jungles, aiming for Belize City, 500 km away. Roman and Harleymoon took a chicken bus, bonding over street tacos, while Anita and Bal haggled at markets.
Heavy rains delayed teams, with Dylan and Jackie sleeping in hammocks. Budget strain hit early—£30 daily covered food, lodging, transport, but not emergencies.
Leg 2: Guatemala Highlands
From Belize, paths split to Guatemala’s Antigua, a UNESCO site with volcanic backdrops. Teams climbed Acatenango volcano or bartered in Chichicastenango markets. Tyler and Molly excelled in Spanish-speaking areas, charming locals for rides. Roman’s group faced altitude sickness, pushing emotional limits. This 800 km leg introduced cultural exchanges, like weaving lessons from indigenous groups.
Challenges Faced
Daily £30 budget ruled—no phones, internet, or flights created raw immersion. Tasks included odd jobs like fruit picking in Honduras or teaching English in Costa Rica to extend funds. Monsoons, border delays, and theft attempts ramped tension. Physical tolls like 30-degree heat or jungle hikes tested fitness. Emotional clashes surfaced—family secrets spilled during late-night talks.
Budget Struggles
£30 per person daily meant $38 USD equivalent, covering meals at $3 tacos, $10 hostels. Overspending forced sleeping rough or skipping meals. Anita’s duo stretched funds via homestays, saving on Panama buses. Winners Roman and Harleymoon budgeted ruthlessly, cooking rice and beans. Pro tip: Exchange money locally for best rates.
Navigation Nightmares
No GPS meant paper maps, asking directions in Spanish. Lost in Nicaragua’s Corn Islands, teams wandered hours. Tyler’s group used stars at night, echoing survival shows. Miscommunications led to wrong ferries, costing days. Success hinged on language apps memorized pre-race.
Episode Highlights
The series aired weekly from April 2025 on BBC One, eight episodes plus reunion. Episode 1 showed frantic starts, Anita’s emotional goodbye to luxury. Mid-season peaks included Guatemala pyramid climbs. The finale on December 11 revealed Kemp siblings crossing Colombia’s finish line first. Viewers hit 4 million per episode.
Emotional Moments
Roman opened up on antidepressants, Harleymoon sang for locals. Dylan bonded with Jackie over Derry Girls tales. Tyler proposed mid-race vibes strengthened Molly’s duo. Tears flowed in Panama canals, facing fears together.
Winner’s Story
Roman Kemp and Harleymoon triumphed after 33 days, 3,600 miles. Their strategy: Early aggressive travel, local alliances. Roman’s media savvy secured rides; Harleymoon’s music earned favors. They beat Anita’s duo by two days, arriving exhausted but euphoric. Post-win, Roman called it life-changing for mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Celebrity Race Across the World 2025?
The winners were Roman Kemp and Harleymoon Kemp. They reached the final checkpoint in Colombia just two minutes ahead of Tyler West and Molly Rainford in a dramatic clifftop finish.
Where did the 2025 race start and finish?
The race started on the island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and finished at the Península de La Guajira in Colombia. This was the first time the celebrity version had crossed from North to South America.
Why did Dylan Llewellyn quit?
Dylan and his mum, Jackie, ran out of money during the final leg of the race. They entered the last stretch with only £14 left in their pouch, making it impossible to secure transport to the final destination.
How many episodes are in the 2025 series?
The series consists of six episodes. Five episodes cover the different legs of the race, and the final episode concludes with the crowning of the winners and a reunion of all four pairs.
Are the celebrities paid to be on the show?
While the celebrities receive a fee for their appearance on the show, they are not allowed to use that money during the race. They must strictly stick to the limited cash budget provided at the starting line.
What was the closest finish in the show’s history?
The 2025 finish between the Kemp siblings and Tyler/Molly (2 minutes) is currently the second-closest finish in the entire franchise, only surpassed by Emon and Jamiul’s 20-second victory in Series 2.
Can the contestants fly at any point?
No, the “no-fly” rule is a core mechanic of the show. Teams must use buses, trains, boats, or taxis. The only exception in history was during Series 2 due to civil unrest, but the 2025 celebrity series maintained the strict no-fly policy throughout.
How did Tyler and Molly lose the lead?
Despite having a head start in the final leg, Tyler and Molly suffered an alarm clock fail and later experienced mechanical issues with their boat during the final water crossing, allowing the Kemps to overtake them.
Did Anita Rani win any legs of the race?
Yes, Anita and her dad Balvinder were the first to reach the very first checkpoint in Flores, Guatemala, arriving over 23 hours ahead of the other teams.
Is there a cash prize for the celebrity winners?
Unlike the standard version where winners receive £20,000, the celebrity winners do not receive a cash prize. They typically race for the experience and to raise awareness for their chosen charities.
When will the next season of Race Across the World air?
The standard version (Series 6) is expected to air in Spring 2026, while a fourth celebrity series has been rumored for late 2026.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 celebrity edition of Race Across the World was a masterclass in perseverance and family bonding. By choosing a route that funneled contestants through the geographically and logistically difficult terrain of the Darién Gap and the volcanic belts of Central America, the BBC successfully heightened the stakes for its high-profile cast. The Kemp siblings’ victory underscored the importance of budget management over sheer speed, while the heartbreak of the Llewellyn’s highlighted the brutal reality of the show’s core constraints. This season solidified the series as a staple of British reality television, proving that even with “famous” faces, the raw, unscripted challenge of the race remains the true star.
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