The Race Is Still On For Bridgewater Couple Competing On 'The Amazing Race'

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The race is still on for Bridgewater residents Akbar and Sheridan Cook who advanced through the first two legs of CBS' TV show The Amazing Race.

The Cooks, who are both educators living in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater Township, appeared on Wednesday night's season premiere double episode of CBS' Amazing Race.

They kicked off the season in London and were able to survive both legs. They will now head off to Scotland where the third leg will begin.

The Cooks are among 11 teams of two to be competing on the 33rd season of the reality television show where they will race around the world for a $1 million grand prize.

Akbar Cook is a Principal at Newark West Side High School and Sheridan is a Teacher at Newark Public Schools.

Prior to the episode airing, Akbar shared some words encouraging people to tune in.

"I just want my kids at my school to see someone like them go travel across the world. Because I didn't even have a passport," said Cook. "My big thing was to let my kids not biological and biological see this black man who look like them go around the world and compete."

There are two other New Jersey teams also competing in season 33 including Caro Viehweg and Ray Gantt, from Los Angeles and Toms River, and Marianela and Marissa Gonzalez, twins and radio hosts from North Bergen.

The first two episodes aired on Wednesday, Jan. 5 despite being filmed prior to COVID-19 hitting. If you missed the episodes, you can catch it on the Paramont+ app. The third episode will air on Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

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