Best friends from Mount Pearl compete in Amazing Race Canada after decade-long crusade
Colin Rose and Matt Roberts fulfill decade-long dream on reality show
After a decade of dreaming, applying and patiently waiting, two best friends from Mount Pearl, N.L., have finally lived out their dream on one of Canada's iconic television stages.
Colin Rose and Matt Roberts were finalists in season 10 of The Amazing Race Canada, a milestone for the pair that they could only imagine for years.
Spoiler alert: despite their dream-come-true moment, the duo narrowly missed the winning spot, coming second to a team from Alberta.
However, Rose says he has no complaints about their performance.
"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.… We can't even be mad," said Rose. "Given what we did for the last one month, I'm really happy with the outcome."
The show was filmed in April and May. Participants were challenged by thrilling activities held across the country.
"This has been a dream since the show started," said Rose, his excitement still fresh from the whirlwind experience.
"We've been fans from the beginning, and every year we'd send in our name. We were relentless."
Relentless, indeed. Rose and Roberts first applied for The Amazing Race Canada 10 years ago, when the show was still in its early days. They never gave up, submitting videos year after year, always hopeful that this would be the year they'd get the call. It wasn't until a full decade later that their persistence paid off.
"It felt like we'd already won, just getting to be part of it," Rose said, recalling the moment they'd been invited to participate in the show.
What followed was an intense journey that tested their physical, mental and emotional limits.
Racing across the country, the duo tackled a series of challenges, including solving complex puzzles and enduring gruelling physical tasks, all while battling the ticking clock and fierce competition from other teams.
The long road to race
Although they didn't bring home the big prize, Rose and Roberts emphasized the sheer difficulty and excitement of the challenges.
"The race wasn't just about fitness, it was about staying calm under pressure, making quick decisions, and keeping a strong partnership," said Roberts.
Roberts also says their friendship of decades brought more strength to the competition, since the pair know each other inside and out.
Rose agreed, adding that their deep bond helped them push through some of the most difficult moments of the race.
"There were times when we were exhausted, or frustrated, or things weren't going our way. But we always had each other's backs. That's what got us through," said Rose.
Throughout their journey on The Amazing Race Canada, Rose and Roberts made it a point to proudly represent their Newfoundland roots.
Whether it was solving complex challenges or rappelling down the Niagara Falls, they never left home behind — literally.
The best friends from Mount Pearl always wore something that symbolized Newfoundland and Labrador, keeping their province close to their hearts every step of the way.
According to the finalists, there have only been two other teams from Newfoundland and Labrador in 10 seasons of the show.
"The lack of our province's representation over a decade has been a bit alarming," said Rose.
Even though the pals didn't cross the finish line, Rose and Roberts say they're now home with unforgettable memories, a stronger-than-ever friendship and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
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With files from The St. John's Morning Show