Typically, each cycle of the "Race" features eleven teams, each composed of two people with a preexisting relationship. Examples include dating, married, and divorced couples; siblings; parents and their children; lifelong friends; sports team colleagues; and co-workers. Original "Race" rules required that teammates have had a preexisting relationship of more than three years, and no previous acquaintances with other racers during that cycle. Individual racers must be of a specific nationality and meet specific age requirements; this is necessary to allow teams to obtain the necessary passport documentation to travel across the world without incident.