The Big Race by Neil S. Plakcy

When a marriage hangs in the balance, sometimes the greatest race is finding your way back to each other.

After twenty-five years together, Jeffrey and Ray’s marriage is crumbling. Ray’s affair has shattered their trust, and both men are questioning whether their relationship is worth saving. In a desperate attempt to reconnect—or find closure—they apply for The Big Race, a reality TV competition that sends couples racing around the world for a million-dollar prize.

From the tropical heat of Panama to the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, from Thailand’s bustling markets to Venezuela’s treacherous jungles, Jeffrey and Ray must navigate not only physical challenges but the emotional minefield of their broken relationship. With cameras capturing their every move, they’re forced to confront the patterns that drove them apart while rediscovering what brought them together in the first place.

As they face bungee jumps, cultural challenges, and elimination pressure, Jeffrey—the cautious computer programmer—must learn to take leaps of faith, while Ray—the competitive former athlete—discovers that some victories can’t be won through sheer determination. Together, they’ll test whether their partnership can survive monkey attacks, mountain climbs, and the ultimate challenge: learning to trust each other again.