But as they learned about the comprehensive plan being put in place (“Low transmission countries, low transmission areas, proof of vaccination at every point, anyone you came into contact with was already pre-cleared, testing every 48 hours, quarantining in between,” detailed Penn) and realized how much they wanted to show their kids the importance of finishing what you begin, they were pulled back to the restart line in Zurich, Switzerland.
Their kids were, after all, the ones who’d urged them to throw on their backpacks in the first place. “Our children, said, ‘What are you going to remember? Some random February or the time you went on The Amazing Race?'” recalled Penn. “And they kind of theoretically and literally pushed us out the door.”
Plus, it helped that they’d long since formed “this, like, trauma bond,” with their fellow racers, noted Kim. “You’re like, ‘Where were you when the pandemic started?’ And we were in Scotland with these people on this game show.” Two years in, they’re still in constant contact with the entire squad. “I think that’s one of the biggest surprises out of this experience for me is that I would come away with real, true friendships,” she said. “I love these people.”
