The Amazing Race 12

Development and filming

In May 2007, CBS confirmed The Amazing Race was picked up for a 12th season. It was originally to be scheduled in the mid-season of the 2007–08 TV season. However, when Viva Laughlin canceled in October of the same year, The Amazing Race 12 started early to take the time slot.

The Amazing Race 12 spanned 30,000 miles (48,000 km) in 21 days, making it the shortest Amazing Race course since the Family Edition of season 8. The race covered four continents, visiting ten countries (five of which were not previously visited by the series), while traveling entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. The newly visited countries were Ireland, Burkina Faso, Lithuania, Croatia and Taiwan (Republic of China). This was the first time the former Yugoslavia was visited on the race. Also, for the first time, the finish line was not in the continental United States.

The shortened filming schedule was initially attributed, in part, to the removal of non-elimination legs, which would have been a first on the Race. However, host Phil Keoghan told Kynt & Vyxsin in Leg 7 that there were two non-elimination legs in this race. Most seasons without "To Be Continued" or "superlegs" have four non-elimination points. With this race only having two non-elimination legs, the number of episodes was reduced by two.

This season also introduced two new twists to the race: the U-Turn and the Speed Bump. Positioned just after a Detour, the U-Turn allowed one team to force a team behind them to complete both sides of that Detour. The Speed Bump was a penalty task for a team that finished last in a non-elimination leg, to be completed during the next leg in addition to other tasks. The U-Turn and the Speed Bump each occurred in two episodes of The Amazing Race 12.

The Alaska finish line was the northernmost finish location of the series.

Cast

Applications for The Amazing Race 12 were due on January 16, 2007. Semi-finalist interviews were held in February 2007 or March 2007 and final casting interviews took place in April 2007.

This season's 11 teams included married lesbian ministers, dating Goths, and siblings. Executive producer van Munster felt that "it was not intentional" for casting to leave out young-male teams commonly found in past seasons. He also said that it was pure coincidence for 15 of 22 racers to be residents of California.

The grandson and grandfather team of Nicolas and Donald are, respectively, the son and father-in-law of singer Robbie Fulks. Shana was the on-and-off girlfriend of TV personality Ryan Seacrest, while racers Staella, TK, Rachel, and Nathan all attended Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley, California. Kynt had originally applied for an unknown season of the reality television show Survivor.

Ron & Christina and Kynt (as Kent) & Vyxsin raced again on The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business among a cast of returning teams from seasons 12–17. During the Unfinished Business race, Christina revealed she was engaged to fellow season 12 racer Azaria Azene; they married in March 2011.

This is one of the seasons after the first All-Star season that is not represented in the race cast for the second All-Star edition.

Marketing

Two days after the series premiere, CBS launched an Amazing Race page on social networking site Facebook via Facebook Ads. The site contained interactive contents such as maps, trivia, a travel log, and prizes. The site also included a tie-in with the Where I've Been application.

Results

The following teams participated in this season, each listed along with their placements in each leg and relationships as identified by the program. Note that this table is not necessarily reflective of all content broadcast on television, owing to the inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:

A red team placement indicates that the team was eliminated.

A green ƒ indicates that the team won a Fast Forward clue. If placed next to a leg number, this indicates that the Fast Forward was available for that leg but not used.

An underlined blue team's placement indicates that the team came in last on a non-elimination leg and had to perform a Speed Bump task in the following leg.

A brown ⊃ means the team chose to use a U-Turn; ⊂ indicates the team who received it.

Episode title quotes

Episode titles are often taken from quotes made by the racers.

1. "Donkeys Have Souls, Too" – Christina
2. "I've Become the Archie Bunker of the Home" – Ronald
3. "Please, Lord, Give Me Milk" – Lorena
4. "Let's Name Our Chicken Phil" – Shana
5. "We Really Burned Bridges, For Sure" – Jennifer (of Shana & Jennifer)
6. "Cherry on Top of the Sundae That's Already Melted" – Nathan
7. "This is Forever, Now" – Donald
8. "Honestly, They Have Witch Powers or Something!" – Jennifer (of Nathan & Jennifer)
9. "I Just Hope He Doesn't Croak on Us" – Ronald
10. "Sorry, Guys, I'm Not Happy to See You" – Jennifer (of Nathan & Jennifer)
11. "The Final Push" – TK

Prizes

The prize for each leg was awarded to the first place team for that leg. All trips were sponsored by Travelocity. The prizes were:

Leg 1 – a trip for two to the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada

Leg 2 – a sport bike for each racer

Leg 3 – a five-night vacation to Bermuda

Leg 4 – a Yamaha Motor Scooter for each racer

Leg 5 – a ten-day trip for two to Japan

Leg 6 – a 12.5-foot (3.8 m) catamaran for each racer

Leg 7 – a trip for two to Cancun, Mexico

Leg 8 – a trip for two to Saint Martin

Leg 9 – a four-seat electric car for each racer

Leg 10 – a five-night vacation to Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles

Leg 11 – US$1,000,000

Elimination Station

The first five teams eliminated were sequestered at a villa in Portugal to await the finale. Subsequently eliminated teams telephoned to inform the teams at the villa of their elimination, but continued to run the race as decoys to throw off potential spoilers. The sequestered teams met up with the decoy teams in the final destination city to cheer on the final three teams as they crossed the finish line.

CBS posted short videos on its website after each episode aired in the Pacific time zone, which showed the eliminated teams interacting at the villa.

1. After Leg 1, Ari & Staella were the first team eliminated and sent to the villa, where they explored the house and contemplated their unfortunate first leg. They predicted one of the older teams would be eliminated next and that Lorena & Jason would win.
2. After Leg 2, Kate & Pat were the second team eliminated and sent to the villa. They discussed their opinions of the other racers with Ari and Staella. Ari was unhappy when Kate and Pat criticized his negative views, if not insults, of some of the racers.
3. After Leg 3, Marianna & Julia were the third team eliminated and sent to the villa. Once again, Ari grew irritated with Kate and Pat – this time because he felt that they were dominating the conversations with Marianna and Julia. At the end of the day, Ari, Staella, Marianna, and Julia all went out to party while Kate and Pat opted to stay behind, much to Ari's delight.
4. After Leg 4, Lorena & Jason were the fourth team eliminated and sent to the villa, and they were excited to finally relax. Everyone was shocked and disappointed to see that they had been eliminated. At the beach, Lorena, Jason, Ari, Staella, Marianna, and Julia went cliff-jumping with some Portuguese locals; Kate and Pat explored alone.
5. After Leg 5, Shana & Jennifer were the fifth team eliminated and sent to the villa. They immediately apologized to Lorena and Jason for using the U-Turn, though Lorena and Jason were a little skeptical to their reasoning. Marianna and Julia made a beautiful burnt barbecue feast for the new arrival team and later Shana and Jennifer shared their thoughts about who would be eliminated next, saying it would be Nicolas & Donald.
6. After Leg 6, Azaria & Hendekea were the sixth team eliminated. They called the villa and shared news about the race with the other eliminated teams. All the teams were shocked when they found out Azaria & Hendekea were eliminated. Lorena and Jason got along with Shana and Jennifer in the villa while later on, all the sequestered teams went out to sea on a boat.
7. Leg 7 was a non-elimination leg. Meanwhile, the five sequestered teams enjoyed various outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, zip-lining and mountain biking. Later, they were given a taste of local Portuguese food and culture.
8. After Leg 8, Kynt & Vyxsin were the seventh team eliminated. They called the villa, where teams were shocked at their elimination. As the Goths explained what went wrong in their Mumbai leg, they also expressed how well teams like Nicolas & Donald and Ronald & Christina were doing. Then, as the sequestered teams realized their time in the villa would soon end, everyone went out for a little poolside fun.
9. Leg 9 was a non-elimination leg. After one last visit to a Portuguese vineyard, the sequestered teams pack-up, and wonder what it will be like back home.
10. After Leg 10, Nathan & Jennifer were the eighth and final team to be eliminated. They called after the five sequestered teams arrived in Alaska, where the race would end. After the call, each team gave their opinion on who they wanted to see win.
11. Leg 11 was the final leg of The Amazing Race 12. Azaria & Hendekea, Kynt & Vyxsin, and Nathan & Jennifer reunited with the rest of the eliminated teams. Some of the eliminated teams shared their opinions on the winners and the runners-up. The final three admit to their final joys and disappointments.

Leg 1 (United States → Ireland)

Airdate: November 4, 2007

Los Angeles, California, United States (The Playboy Mansion) (starting line)

Los Angeles (Los Angeles International Airport) to Shannon, Ireland (Shannon Airport)¹

Rossaveal, Connemara (Ferry Port) to Inishmore, Aran Islands

Inishmore (Teampull Bheanáin) (overnight rest in The Pier House)

Inishmore to Rossaveal (Ferry Port)

Cleggan (Cleggan Farm)

Clifden (Connemara Heritage & History Centre)

The first Roadblock required one team member to pedal a high-wire bicycle across a windswept ravine, suspended almost 200 ft (61 m) above the North Atlantic; their partner, sitting 8 ft (2.4 m) below, is taken along for the ride until reaching their next clue above the wire.

Additional tasks

Upon arrival in Shannon, teams must take a ferry from Rossaveal ferry port to Inishmore and find Teampull Bheanáin. At the church, teams had to sign up for one of three ferries departing the next morning at 8:00, 8:30, and 9:30 a.m. The first two ferries can accommodate three teams each, while the last ferry can carry five teams.

Upon returning to the Irish mainland, teams had to choose a marked car which contained their next clue, instructing them to drive themselves to Cleggan Farm.

At Cleggan Farm, teams had to pedal a tandem bike along a dirt path to get their next clue.

After completing the Roadblock, teams received instructions to choose a donkey and fill each of its baskets with 15 pieces of peat. They then had to walk the donkey back to the entrance of the farm to receive their next clue.

Note

Leg 2 (Ireland → The Netherlands)

Airdate: November 11, 2007

Shannon (Shannon Airport) to Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)

Amsterdam (Schiphol railway station) to (Amsterdam Centraal railway station)

Amsterdam (Melkmeisjesbrug)

Amsterdam to Ransdorp (Rural Village Field)

Durgerdam (Yacht Club)

At the Detour, teams had to choose between Hoist It or Hunt It. In Hoist It, teams had to use a traditional rope-and-pulley system to hoist five pieces of furniture up to a typical Amsterdam apartment. Once all of the items were loaded, the head tenant would get their next clue. In Hunt It, teams made their way on foot several blocks to a bicycle parking lot called Fietsflat (Dutch) to search through thousands of bicycles for two bikes tagged with a specific color designated in their clue. After finding these bikes, teams had to ride them five miles to an attendant who would give them their next clue.

In the Roadblock for this leg, one team member had to play a sport called fierljeppen. This required completing a 12-foot (3.7 m) vault across an irrigation ditch, landing on both feet on the marshy grass. Once the vault was completed correctly, they had to pick up their clue and vault back to their partner. (This task would reappear in Season 21 as a switchback.)

Additional task

After completing the Roadblock, teams had to ride a freight bicycle, known as bakfiets, to the Pit Stop at the Yacht Club in Durgerdam.

Leg 3 (The Netherlands → Burkina Faso)

Airdate: November 18, 2007

Amsterdam (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol) to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou Airport)

Ouagadougou (Train Station) to Boulkiemdé (Bingo)

Boulkiemdé (Village School)

Boulkiemdé (Outskirts of Bingo)

In this Roadblock, in an area inhabited by Tuareg people, one team member had to milk a dromedary and collect the camel milk in a dried gourd bowl. After they reached a marked line and showed it to a local for approval, they then had to drink all the milk to receive their next clue. If a team member was unable to obtain enough milk from their chosen camel, he or she had to wait until another team had completed the Roadblock; they could then try milking that camel for the remainder.

The Detour was a choice between Teach It or Learn It. In Teach It, teams had to teach schoolchildren who did not speak English to memorize ten words of English. When a local teacher was satisfied that the children could recite the words, teams would receive the next clue. In Learn It, teams had to learn from the local schoolchildren ten words in the More language. Teams were then tested by a local teacher, until the teacher was satisfied and gave them their next clue.

Additional task

At the train boarding from Ouagadougou, teams must listen for their stop, determining that their next destination is Bingo. After exiting the train, teams must search for their next clue.

After completing the Roadblock, teams had to lead four camels along a marked path to a group of nomads. Once the camels were delivered, teams received their next clue.

After completing the Detour, teams must follow to the marked path to the outskirts of Bingo for the Pit Stop.

Leg 4 (Burkina Faso)

Airdate: November 25, 2007

Boulkiemdé (Village in Bingo)

Bouda-Pelegtanga, Yako, Passoré (Village Field)

Pelegtanga Market

Ouagadougou (Tampouy Goat Market)

Ouagadougou (Hotel de Ville)

The Detour of this leg was a choice between Shake Your Pans or Shake Your Booty. In Shake Your Pans, teams had to use traditional methods to pan for one ounce (28 g) of gold. Once it was weighed, they traded their gold for their next clue. In Shake Your Booty, teams had to learn a traditional local dance, and perform it with Winiama masked dancers for a crowd of locals. When they successfully performed the moves, they received their next clue. But if three local celebrity judges felt a team lacked creativity or had a bad performance, the team would incur a 10-minute penalty.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to ride a bicycle and deliver a large amount of cumbersome goods, including a small goat. The items had to be delivered to a specific person, stated in their clue at a nearby market. Once the items were delivered, they received their next clue.

Additional task

At the start of the leg, teams had to look for the village chief. They had to accept a gift of a chicken, and carry it with them throughout the leg.

After completing the Detour, teams had to travel by foot to Pelegtanga Market, and search a marked path for a U-Turn stand and their next clue.

Leg 5 (Burkina Faso → Lithuania)

Airdate: December 2, 2007

Ouagadougou (Ouagadougou Airport) to Vilnius, Lithuania (Vilnius International Airport)

Vilnius (St. Anne's Church)

Trakai (Trakai Island Castle)

Vilnius (Old Town – Nautilus courtyard, Vilnius University courtyard and several locations)

Rumšiškės (Lithuanian Open Air Museum (Lithuanian))

Rumšiškės (Aukštaitija Windmill)

In this Roadblock, one team member had to choose a local Lithuanian woman working in Nautilus courtyard, who would give them a package and tell them where to take it. Then, traveling on foot through the confusing streets of the Vilnius Old Town, team members had to deliver the package to the correct person in Vilnius University Courtyard. They would then be handed a second package and one of four final destinations: Gabi Kavine, Saint Germain Restaurant, Hair Salon Sidabrynas, or Shakespeare Hotel. When the delivery was made to the correct location, they received their next clue.

The Detour was a choice between Count Down or Step Up. In Count Down, teams made their way through the traditional Mid-Summer's Festival to a marked section of picket fence. Once there, they had to count every picket in the fence and give their count to a villager. If they were correct, they would receive their next clue. In Step Up, teams had to stilt-walk along a marked course to the finish line. If a person fell before reaching the end, they had to start over. When they completed the course without falling, they would receive their next clue.

There was a Fast Forward which went unaired. In a post-race interview, Shana and Jennifer revealed that the Fast Forward was present in a portion of the leg at Trakai Island Castle. However, the objective was unknown.

Additional tasks

Upon arrival in Vilnius, teams had to choose a marked car and drive themselves to St. Anne's Church.

At the Lithuanian Open Air Museum, teams had to search through the area for the roaming Travelocity gnome, as depicted in a picture on their clue. However, there were hundreds of common Lithuanian gnomes placed around the area to confuse the teams. Teams had to carry the Travelocity gnome with them all the way to the Pit Stop.

Leg 6 (Lithuania → Croatia)

Airdate: December 9, 2007

Vilnius (Vilnius International Airport) to Dubrovnik, Croatia (Dubrovnik Airport)

Dubrovnik (Fort of St. Lawrence)

Dubrovnik (Walls of Dubrovnik – Fort Bokar)

Dubrovnik (Fort Imperial – Stone Cross)

At the Roadblock, one team member had search and correctly find one of eight stones out of 150, and fit it into the rock wall at the fort being rebuilt from the Croatian War of Independence. Once the stone is correctly laid, the stonemason would hand them their next clue.

At the Detour, teams had to choose between Short & Long or Long & Short. In Short & Long, teams had to rappel down the walls of Fort Bokar and then scale it with a rope ladder. Then, they had to make their way on foot, (a longer distance) through the confusing old-quarter streets, to find their next clue. In Long & Short, teams had to tandem zipline from the fort, swim to floating platforms, then row a fishing boat around the city walls. When they reached a flagged area, they then had to make make their way on foot (a shorter distance) through the streets, to find their next clue.

Additional task

After completing the Roadblock, teams had to go to the fort's roof and ride a zipline down to Fort Bokar to receive their next clue.

Leg 7 (Croatia → Italy)

Airdate: December 23, 2007

Dubrovnik (Autobusni kolodvor Dubrovnik) to Split (Autobusni kolodvor Split)

Split (Ferry Terminal) to Ancona, Marche, Italy

Empoli, Tuscany (Campo di Volo Silvano Poli)

Empoli (Fabio Studios)

Vinci (Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci)

Florence (Boboli Gardens)

For the race's only aired Fast Forward, one team had to travel to Fabio Studios to take part in a local seafaring tradition. When they arrived, they had to have a permanent tattoo drawn on their bodies: the letters FF for Fast Forward. When completed, that team would win the Fast Forward award.

At the Roadblock, one team member had to fly over Tuscany in an ultralight, and scan a six-mile (9.7 km) radius of the countryside for the name of their next destination: Vinci. If team members thought they spotted the hint, they had to signal their pilot who would then bring them back down. Once on the ground, they would tell the instructor the location and, if correct, the pilot would hand them their next clue. There was a thirty-minute time limit per flight, to allow for refueling.

At the Detour, teams had a choice between Invention or Tradition. In Invention, teams made their way to a nearby courtyard and chose a replica of a centuries-old crane designed by Leonardo da Vinci. They had to first assemble the crane, then use it to lift a large stone one foot (30 cm) off the ground. They then had to place a mirror underneath and read a clue printed on the bottom of the stone. In Tradition, teams made their way to Piazza Guido Masi, and learned a traditional local flag routine. When they performed the routine correctly, the lead flagman would hand them a flag displaying the name of their next destination.

Additional task

Upon arrival in Ancona, teams chose a marked car to drive themselves to Empoli. They also received a BlackBerry which would be used to receive a message. This turned out a message from their loved ones at home.

Leg 8 (Italy → India)

Airdate: December 30, 2007

Florence (Peretola Airport) to Mumbai, India (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport)

Mumbai (Khar Danda – M.R. Naik Newspaper Stall)

Mumbai (Chauhan Alteration Tailors)

Mumbai (Dariya Mahal)

Mumbai (Dadar West Bridge or Dadar Flower Market)

Mumbai (Kabutar Khana)

Mumbai (Colaba – Bharatgas Colaba Gas Service)

Mumbai (Bandra – Bandra Fort)

In a Speed Bump (following the previous non-elimination leg), Kynt & Vyxsin had to find the Yoga Master at Dariya Mahal, and successfully perform a series of yoga poses before being allowed to continue racing.

The Detour was a choice between Paste 'Em or Thread 'Em. In Paste 'Em, teams made their way to a marked underpass in Tulsi Pipe Road of Dadar West Bridge, and used the provided supplies to properly paste a 6-panel Bollywood movie poster onto the wall. The panels were large and unwieldy, and if one panel was out of line, they would have to take them all down and start over. When the judge was satisfied with the advertisement, they would receive their next clue. In Thread 'Em, teams made their way to Dadar Flower Market, found a marked flower stall called Shyam Pandurang Bhagat, and created a traditional wedding garland. This required threading 108 flowers in an alternating pattern (red, orange, and yellow). When the judge agreed that the garland had been properly made, teams delivered it to a nearby bridegroom who gave them the next clue.

In the Roadblock, one team member had to load a bicycle cart with six tanks of propane gas, pedal to the two addresses listed on their order slips, deliver three tanks to each address, and collect receipts as proof of delivery. Once their deliveries were complete, they had to hand the foreman their two order slips and two receipts to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

At the M.R. Naik Newspaper Stall, teams searched for an ad in The Times of India that contained the location of the next route marker.

After completing the Detour, teams had to travel to Kabutar Khana where they encountered the U-Turn board, and their next clue.

Leg 9 (India → Japan)

Airdate: January 6, 2008

Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport) to Osaka, Japan (Kansai International Airport)

Osaka (Kishiwada Castle)

Osaka (Noda Station)

Osaka (Kita-Mido Temple (Japanese))

Osaka (Shimojima Building (Japanese) or Saera Flower Shop (Japanese))

Osaka (Tempozan Park)

In the Roadblock, one team member had to put on a hat and gloves – as local cabbies do – and transport a Japanese couple five miles through a maze of confusing, often one-way streets to a specified address (the Osaka Central Post Office (Japanese)). They could not invite a local to lead them or join them in the car, and the couple could not help them. However, they could stop and ask for directions. Upon arrival at the correct address, the couple would hand them their next clue. However, the drivers had to make their way back to their teammate before they read the clue.

The Detour of this leg was a choice between Sense of Touch or Sense of Smell. In Sense of Touch, teams made their way on foot to the Shimojima Building, and had to use miniature robots, controlled by cell phones, to play a game of soccer against two robotic defenders. Once each team member had scored a goal, the referee would give them their next clue. In Sense of Smell, teams made their way to the Saera Flower Shop, where only artificial flowers were sold. Once there, they had to use their noses (and only their noses) to identify one real flower, hidden among thousands of artificial flowers in the two-story flower shop. When they found a real flower, the shop owner would give them their next clue.

Additional task

At the Noda railway station, teams had to locate a cleaning man inside the station terminal who would hand them their next clue.

Leg 10 (Japan → Taiwan)

Airdate: January 13, 2008

Osaka (Umeda Sky Building - Floating Garden)

Osaka (Kansai International Airport) to Taipei, Taiwan (Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport)

Taipei (Taipei Main Station) to Taichung (Taichung THSR station)

Jiji (Acrobatics Jeep)

Jiji (Heping Elementary School)

Taichung (Taichung THSR station) to Taipei (Taipei Main Station)

Taipei (GK Teahouse)

Taipei (Gong Guan Night Market)

Taipei (Zhongzheng Park or Youth Park (Chinese))

Taipei (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall)

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to become a passenger in a car driven by a professional stunt driver, who would maneuver the vehicle onto a giant teeter-totter and then rock back and forth precariously 25 feet (7.6 m) above the ground. Then, the team member would switch into an amphibious car, don a pair of goggles, and (while holding their breath) be driven underwater for 17 seconds. When they completed the ride, they would get their next clue.

The Speed Bump required TK & Rachel to find Heping Elementary School, don protective gear, and run through a barrage of fireworks. Once they completed the run and were doused with water, they were allowed to continue racing.

The Detour of this leg had a choice between Fire or Earth. In Fire, teams made their way to Zhongzheng Park to participate in a mystical Chinese ritual by writing messages of luck, good or bad, on Kongming lanterns. They had to burn "spirit money" under the lanterns, heating air that would lift the lanterns into the sky. Once a team sent 20 sky lanterns into the air, they would receive their next clue. In Earth, teams made their way to Youth Park to participate in a local custom used to reduce stress. Team members had to walk barefoot down a 220-foot (67 m) path made of jagged stones, turn around, and walk back. When they finished, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

At the Umeda Sky Building, teams had to take an elevator to the Floating Garden, and search for their next clue.

At the GK Teahouse, each team member had to drink a cup of tea. A Chinese clue was written on the bottom of the cup, which led teams to the Gong Guan Night Market, where they searched for a clown who would give them their next clue.

Leg 11 (Taiwan → United States)

Airdate: January 20, 2008

Taipei (Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport) to Anchorage, Alaska, US (Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport)

Anchorage (6th Avenue Outfitters)

Anchorage (Ship Creek Boat Launch)

Anchorage (Twenty-mile River) to (Twenty-mile Glacier)

Anchorage (Merrill Field)

Anchorage (Goose Lake Park)

Anchorage (Resolution Park – Captain Cook Statue)

Anchorage (Alaska Center for the Performing Arts – Salmon Hooker Statue)

Girdwood (Girdwood Airport)

The final Detour was a choice of Cut the Cod or Grab the Crab. In Cut the Cod, teams had to cut through several 50-pound (23 kg) Ling Cod and search for a miniature clue hidden in one of the fish. In Grab the Crab, teams had to jump into the hold of a boat swarming with over 500 live crabs. Then, they had to search through the nipping crustaceans for a crab marked with Race colors to receive their next clue.

In the final Roadblock, one team member had to face a field of things they had encountered along the race course. They had to match 10 of 15 recognizable items to the respective legs of the race, but the combination of items had to meet the following requirements:

Three items could be animals or animal by-products.

One had to be a U-Turn.

Two had to be items either at or brought to the Pit Stop.

Two had to be items of transportation with wheels, one of which was used at a Detour.

One had to be an item of transportation resembling the shape of a stick.

Only one combination of items satisfied the conditions, allowing them to open the clue box and obtain their next clue.

Additional tasks

At 6th Avenue Outfitters, teams would pick up necessary gear for the journey ahead, along with their next clue.

At 20-Mile River, teams took a high-speed boat to 20-Mile Glacier. Once there, both team members had to climb a wall of ice to reach their next clue. They then returned via helicopter to Merrill Field to continue the race.

After completing the Roadblock, teams were told to travel to "Cook's Eye View of the Sleeping Lady". Teams had to determine this referred to the Captain Cook Statue at Resolution Park.