Eco races have long been a common occurrence and even so in television. Eco-Challenge for example, had an audience during its run that started in the 90s and ended in the early 2000s. Now, it’s back in the form of World’s Toughest Race. This series, brought to viewers from Amazon Prime, is a new show that just recently debuted its first season. Their first race takes place in Fiji with a total of sixty-six teams from various different countries, some countries being represented with multiple teams such as New Zealand and the United States.
World’s Toughest Race sees these teams journey across land and water, up mountains and down rivers, with very little sleep and hardly any rest.
World’s Toughest Race sees these teams journey across land and water, up mountains and down rivers, with very little sleep and hardly any rest. Each episode of the special covers the span of a day showing the struggles and triumphs of each team as they fight to catch up, strive not to fall behind, and maintain leads with all of them on a race against the clock. More wrong can happen then right as teams struggle with the heat, cold, occasional dehydration, battling the terrain, injuries, losing their way, equipment malfunctions, and the psychological toll of weathering the intense conditions with less resources afforded to them than in everyday life. As each team battles each other they also battle the nature of Fiji and all of its natural but brutal elements whether it’s having to raft through class three waters, hike up a steep mountain, or a trek on an intensely long bike ride.
The show’s format grants viewers a variation of things to follow. The producers made sure the production crew had the show packed with interviews from the team members, some of their personal stories, beautiful scenic cinematography of Fiji’s islands, first hand shots of the competitors whilst they journey, and a narration that keeps track of everything that’s happening with everyone simultaneously. Bear Grylls is the show’s host, and he plays a major role in the show. He’s charming, intelligent, and thanks to the show’s team, he’s always there at the checkpoints to greet the teams as they come. He also gives them constant words of encouragement even when the odds aren’t in their favor. The teams that were chosen to feature on the show all have their own stories that make them interesting, each with their own strengths and experiences in Eco racing.
World’s Toughest Race is complete in its presentation, offering content that is personal as well as intense and motivating. There’s something here for almost everyone. Nature lovers, campers, and competitors in particular will all more than likely find something to like about this show. The ‘man vs. wild’ element is ever prevalent and there’s an abundance of heart put into the overall narrative. It’ll be interesting to see where season two takes place. Fiji proves to be a beast of an expedition, but there exists far harsher environments the showrunners will have to choose from going forward. Wherever they end up, catch them in Fiji first on Prime Video.
