The Amazing Race

The amazing race has been airing since 2001. It is one of the most intense “game shows” or competitions around. Each season there are 10 – 12 teams that race against each other around the world. Overall the race is about 40 days.

In each “leg” of the race the competitors travel to different destinations and complete a series of different tasks.

There are Roadblocks:

These tasks tend to be something that one of the team members has to complete while the other member waits. The roadblock can be nerve-wracking because it tests individual strengths, patience, and trust.

There are Detours:

Detours are when the teams have to choose between two tasks. The tasks are generally something traditional and local. Each task is the complete opposite of the other offered. The choice between the two can be a fatal decision, because the team members have to complete the task successfully together before obtaining their next clue.

After each task is completed they then continue to race to a “pit stop”. At the pit stop the last team to arrive has the chance of being eliminated. Each of the other teams that checked in is allowed to rest for 24 hours before continuing the race the next day. They are able to meet with other teams, sleep, eat, and get “refueled” for the next leg of the race.

There are a few legs of the race that are “non-elimination” legs. This means that there are no teams eliminated. However, the last team that arrives at the pit stop during a non-elimination leg has to experience a speed bump during the next leg of the race.

A speed bump is an extra task that only the team that arrived last has to do before continuing with the race.

There are also some legs during the race that give the teams the opportunity to send teams back. When this happens the teams sent back have to go and preform the other detour that they did not complete before moving on.

This could be strategic for teams that feel as though they have a chance of loosing, and also frustrating for the teams sent back.

Each team is eliminated off one by one until there are three remaining teams. The three teams then race to the finish line. At the end of the race, the winners win one million dollars!

Season 26 of the amazing race is underway. There are 5 episodes out so far, as the competing couples race across the world. This season is different than any other season. It is focused on couples that are romantically involved. There are people married, dating, engaged, and 5 other teams that are an added twist.

There are 5 single men and 5 single women who were matched together. This season is taking a chance to “match people” together.

Is it possible to find love on the amazing race? Will complete strangers have an advantage over people who have been together and understand one another?

The first few episodes, or legs of the race, have shown an advantage with the single couples. The first 3 eliminations were of dating couples. There has only been one “singles group” eliminated so far.

It is interesting to see the way that two complete strangers manage to get along under stressful conditions. Only one of the groups has started to form a relationship that could become more intimate in the future. Other new couples have stated their “friendship zone” status and the lack of possibility of having a future.

You can’t help but personally feel connected to the people racing and their troubles and achievements.

It is the best when watching the contestants that enjoy themselves on the race. Despite it being a race for one million dollars, it is also a series of once in a life time experiences that should be embraced.