Who will be first in a race around the world…

Bios provided by CBS.com

Gary Tomljenovich (47); Matt Tomljenovich (22)
Hometown: Laurel, Mont. / Bozeman, Mont.
Occupation: Construction Manager and Mortgage Broker/ Student
Relationship: Father/Son

Gary is a PC, Matt is a Mac. Gary enjoys hunting, Matt enjoys video games. Gary enjoys classic rock, Matt enjoys metal. This father and son duo do not have a lot in common and they never have … that is why they are running the Race. They are eager to share the experience of a lifetime with one another and establish a bond for the rest of their lives. 

Despite their many differences, these two share a bond in their common sense approach to problem solving, which at times, has been said to be uncanny.  

Gary is hoping Matt will open up to him during the Race, as they will be forced to spend all of their time together — a first for each of them. Matt is hoping that his dad will learn to listen to him and attempt to understand his point of view. 

Matt was almost killed when he was hit by a car and broke his leg so badly that he had to have a metal rod put in to hold it in place. It has since been removed and he is back in great shape and ready to race.  Matt describes himself as creative, trustworthy and a peacemaker, while Gary describes himself as decisive, direct and competitive.

They see this as a great opportunity for them to see the world and spend quality time together, while hopefully winning the Race and a million dollars along the way.

How Do You Think They Will Do?

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Bios are provided by CBS.com

Herbert Lang (32); Nathaniel Lofton (28)
Hometown: Brinkley, Ark. / New Orleans
Occupation: Harlem Globetrotters
Relationship: Teammates

Their athletic talent brought these two friends together five years ago when they met at the Harlem Globetrotters training camp. While getting to know each other, Herbert and Nathaniel discovered that their occupation and need to entertain others were not the only things they had in common.  They both live in Louisiana, have two children and shared the same college basketball coach.  

Recently, Herb and Nate lost one of their best friends and teammate, Chris Richardson, who passed away in December — and both continue to struggle with that loss.  The three were commonly referred to as the “three amigos” throughout their inner circle.      

Herbert believes he can get along with anyone on the planet and that he brings joy and laughter to all corners of the globe. Standing at 6’3,” Herb is known among his colleagues as “Flight Time.”  Nathaniel, who goes by the name “The Big Easy,” towers over the competition at 6’9,” and admits to being worried that seating could present a problem on some of the flights.  

Both have traveled extensively with the Globetrotters. Herbert has traveled to over 60 countries, and Nathaniel has traveled to over 30 countries. Despite their love of exploring new places, and their extensive knowledge of other countries, they’re eager to see how well they can travel together when it is just the two of them.  

Even if their fancy footwork does not translate to winning the $ 1 million prize, they both are confident that their relationship will remain the same regardless of where they end up in the Race.

How Do You Think They Will Do?

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Bios are provided by CBS.com

Lance Layne (41); Keri Morrione (33)
Hometown: Salem, Mass./ Peabody, Mass.
Occupation: Lawyer/ Finance Manager
Relationship: Engaged      

Lance and Keri have been dating each other for over two years.  Lance proposed this winter, and the two are planning to be married soon.  Both are looking to the Race to test their relationship, communication skills and their physical breaking points.    

Lance and Keri are very athletic, love animals and the outdoors.  Some of their fondest memories include recent vacations in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, and they are now looking forward to traveling around the world together.

Lance, a self-made trial attorney and black belt in karate, has an über-aggressive personality and is admittedly confrontational — he describes himself as having a “street persona” and will do whatever it takes to win.  Keri is a health care finance manager and while she likes to take the kinder and gentler approach to dealing with certain situations, she admits that she is equally as competitive.  

Keri’s hobbies include jogging, jet skiing and shopping. Lance’s hobbies include karate, weight training, and following the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. 

Lance loves the competition aspect of the Race and Keri loves to travel. Both are eager to compete and put their relationship through the rigors of the Race.  They have not lived together around the clock before, or necessarily had to work as a team….and believe this experience will be good practice for the rest of their lives together.

How Do You Think They Will Do?

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Bios are provided by CBS.com

Marcy Maloy (60); Ron Shalita (59)
Hometown: San Francisco
Occupation: Advertising Photographer/Stock Trader & MathTutor
Relationship: Dating

Marcy and Ron both believe that at 60 you can be strong, sexy, vibrant and energetic. They met one year ago on an online dating website and are looking forward to sharing the intense experience of the Race.  They hope the Race will reinforce the strengths of their relationship and identify potential areas of conflict.

Both are exceptionally fit, have great people skills and a high energy level.  Marcy is not your typical 60-year-old; she attends flying trapeze classes, studies Kung Fu and rock climbs with Ron.   To keep pace with Marcy, Ron is in the gym lifting weights, running, swimming or kickboxing. After being selected for the Race, he found a new physical challenge in a course that allowed him to confront his fears of heights.

Marcy is a nationally recognized advertising photographer, while Ron spends his mornings as a high-volume day trader and his afternoons as a math tutor.  They both have traveled extensively and Marcy speaks several languages. Ron is personable and extroverted.   Trained as a lawyer, he is cautious and likes to take his time to think things through while Marcy is spontaneous, impulsive and easily distracted.  Marcy finds balance in Ron’s pragmatism and calmness.  While he likes to process his thoughts,  she prefers to tackle problems head-on.  Both are concerned about their different approaches to problem solving,but believe the Race will give them greater insights.

How Do You This They Will Do?

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Bios are provided by: cbs.com

Maria Ho (26); Tiffany Michelle (25)
Hometown: Arcadia, Calif./ Los Angeles
Occupation: Professional Poker Players
Relationship: Professional Poker Players

These two female professional poker players have been best friends for three years, and were also the last women standing in the World Series of Poker Championship Event in 2007 and 2008.  From Vegas to Monte Carlo, the two have competed against the toughest fields across the world and hold their own playing for high stakes in a male-dominated sport.

Maria is currently ranked 33rd in the Top 100 Women’s All Time Money list among poker players and finished 38th out of 6,358 people in the 2007 World Series of Poker Championship Event.

Tiffany, who is known throughout the poker community as “Hot Chips,” fell into poker via Hollywood home games that she played with fellow actors while working in film and television.  At the 2008 World Series of Poker Championship Event, Tiffany broke records when she finished 17th out of 6,844 players, the largest field ever conquered by a female in live tournament history. 

Maria was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to the United States with her family when she was just four years old and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Maria graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in communication and a minor in law.  When she is not busy traveling the poker tournament circuit, Maria enjoys singing with her sister’s band, “Another Sky.”

Born with a love for the stage and competition, Tiffany naturally found her way into competitive sports, pageants and the college Speech & Debate team.  She got her start in theatre at the age of 10 and began performing and touring with shows across the country. A far departure from poker, Tiffany is a former beauty queen, having held the titles Miss Teen Newhall, Miss Teen Santa Clarita Valley and was a finalist in the Miss Teenage California where she was named Miss Congeniality.

As a team, these two are well traveled, extremely competitive, strong-minded, savvy players who can deal with any hand they are dealt. Even though they are known as two of the hottest young females in poker, they are willing to put pretty aside when it is time to battle it out.

How Do You Think They Will Do?

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Bios are provided by: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/bio/meghan_and_cheyne_15/bio.php?season=15

Meghan Rickey (23); Cheyne Whitney (23)
Hometown: San Diego
Occupation: Account Executive/Brand Manager
Relationship: Dating

Meghan and Cheyne met while playing a competitive game of tetherball in elementary school.  After 10 years of friendship, Cheyne realized he could not let the most athletic girl he knew get away.  Other than a six-month period where Meghan studied abroad in Italy, this couple has been essentially inseparable for nearly five years.

Meghan and Cheyne both work in fields where they deal extensively with different publics.  She is an account executive at a public affairs firm and he works for a social change marketing company where he develops after-school programs and deals with a diverse group of teens, school administrators and corporate executives. When not in the office, Meghan can be found coaching competitive girls’ soccer — a sport that she and Cheyne have shared a passion for since they were kids. The couple feels strongly that their occupations and experiences with team sports have taught them effective communication skills and the virtue of patience, which they believe will benefit them in the Race.

Even though they are head-over-heels for each other, they still have their pet peeves just like any other couple.  Meghan does not like that he tries to diffuse tense situations with laughter rather than by talking things through.  The biggest thing about Meghan that frustrates Cheyne is her stubbornness.  He claims that once she has her mind set on something she is difficult to reason with and it can be impossible to change her mind. 

Ready to tackle the Race head-on, Meghan and Cheyne are very eager to use the power of positive thinking and their athleticism to compete as a team and hope that this experience further validates their friendship and love.

How Do You Think They Will Do?

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The Amazing Race won for Outstanding Reality-competition Program award again for the 5th time in row!! It is the only reality show to win one since the Emmy awards 1st added the award. Not that it surprised me at all….from the great host, amazing casts & awesome views of the world! Congrats to Phil & the whole crew…you do a great job!!

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Hi everyone! I’m Mandee and I will be your admin for this season of  The Amazing Race! I am super excited,how about you? Say hello & keep checking back as I get more things posted before Sunday Sept 27th!

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The next race around the world starts this Sunday with a 2 hour season premier!  So set your DVR’s and enjoy a 2 hour kick off of the Amazing Race!

The Amazing Race is one of my favorite reality tv shows since it is one my wife and I watch and enjoy together!  I am hoping that this season does not disappoint!

So get ready…the race starts this Sunday September 27, 2009!

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