Former Alberta man ecstatic about winning Season 11 of Amazing Race Canada with best friend

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Best friends Jesse Harink and Jonathon Braun signed up for Season 11 of Amazing Race Canada with no big expectations. Just a promise to each other to enjoy the ride.

But now, Harink, who’s originally from Sherwood Park, and Braun, from Woodlawn, Ont., have been crowned champions after the final episode aired on CTV on Tuesday night.

“Our motto was to have fun and the wins will come. If you’re able to be happy and laugh, and look for joy in these moments and support each other, that’s what mattered,” said Harink, who was born in Lacombe, and grew up in Wetaskiwin and Sherwood Park. Both men now call Vancouver home.

“The key to this was neither of us brought an ego to what we were doing. We had the attitude of we’re doing this together, we’re not going to blame anybody. We’re doing this together as a unit.

“Honestly, they call it the Amazing Race, and it really is an amazing experience and opportunity. It gave me a chance to explore Canada with my best friend and see all these cool places. It’s absolutely incredible.”

Harink and Braun each received a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS SUV, a trip around the world and a $250,000 cash prize after being crowned champions.

Edmonton husband and wife Skylene and Blair Gladue, also known as Nipiy Iskwew and Edmonton Oilers Superfan Magoo, also qualified for the final episode and finished fourth.

The first episode of Season 11 started in Edmonton at midfield of Commonwealth Stadium. The 11 teams had to find a clue and then race to the top of Commonwealth Stadium before being repelled down to the outside of the stadium.

“We got through a lot of heights challenges, but that first heights challenge was adrenaline pumping. We found the clue and then all of a sudden we were dangling off the side of Commonwealth (Stadium),” said Harink.

“I love Commonwealth Stadium, it’s a beautiful building, but I don’t recommend hanging off of it.”

Teams raced to different pit stops all across the country. From northern B.C. in Prince George to even Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories across the country to St. John’s, N.L. The final pit stop was in Collingwood, Ont.

The total distance travelled in Season 11 was 19,000 kilometres.

Both men said their favourite stop on the race was going to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.

“We got to see so many beautiful corners of Canada,” said Braun.

“Canada isn’t just about the Vancouvers, the Edmontons and Montreals. It’s about the Gananoques, the Sherbrookes. Some of these smaller areas are so gorgeous.

“To be able to see that beauty in such a unique way is such a memorable part.”

Along with their $250,000 prize, trip around the world and vehicles, the friends also won trips to Bali, Indonesia, Tokyo, Japan, Queenstown, New Zealand,  and Mexico City, Mexico, for winning four legs of the race.

Harink and Braun won the first three legs of the race, and while they proved to be a strong favourite early in the race, they also put a target on their back.

“When we went into the show, we had this goal of building all of these alliances and have a collaborative experience, and then we won the first three episodes, and nobody wanted to work with us,” smiled Harink.

“We became a target, and we totally understand why, but we knew there weren’t going to be a lot of alliances built with us.”

Braun said as the race continued, they were able to build relationships with other teams, and when they could return the favour to help them out, they reciprocated.

“We love all the teams now, and it’s been fun to connect with all of them afterwards, but during the race there were times where they definitely wanted us out,” said Braun.

Braun said they always believed they could win the race, and they tried to just focus on each small step along the way, but it didn’t start to hit them until they reached the final episode.

“We always felt it was a possibility, and we went into the last episode against some real tough competition, and it would’ve made sense if any of the teams won,” said Braun.

“We didn’t take it for granted, but we had the push and the drive to make it feel possible.”

The season filmed from April 22 to May 16, and the friends had to keep it a secret from all their family and friends that they were crowned the champions in the end.

While at times it may have been tough to keep their lips sealed, they tried to have as much fun keeping friends and family in suspense.

“There were 250,000 reasons to keep it a secret,” laughed Harink.

“But honestly, it was fun to hold it, and troll our families to get them convinced that we were going home multiple times. We held watch parties and had some moments where we’d pretend to be really scared or sad, just to see their reaction.

“It was a secret worth keeping, because people were so excited.”

The friends are still working out all the details of their trip around the world, but both are very excited to celebrate their big victory when that time comes. In the meantime, maybe some rest and relaxation is in order.

“I’d love to not get on a plane for a few days. I’d love to just sit at home for a week,” said Harink.

jhills@postmedia.com

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