In 'The Amazing Race', teams usually receive a clue that tells them where to travel next.
A clue may identify a destination, describe a task, or provide instructions for finding the next checkpoint. Teams commonly collect clues from marked boxes at locations around the world. They must then interpret the wording and arrange their own transport unless the clue provides a specific travel method.
Clues are central to the show's design because they turn travel into a series of puzzles and decisions. Some lead to Detours, in which teams choose between two tasks, while others direct them to Roadblocks, where one teammate performs a challenge.
The series premiered in the United States in 2001. It was created by Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster and has been adapted in several countries.