The Amazing Race 13

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The Amazing Race 13
Season 13
Amazing Race Thirteenth Season Region 1 DVD.png
Region 1 DVD cover
Presented by Phil Keoghan
No. of teams11
WinnerNick & Starr Spangler
No. of legs11
Distance traveled40,000 mi (64,000 km)
No. of episodes11
Release
Original network CBS
Original releaseSeptember 28 (2008-09-28) 
December 7, 2008 (2008-12-07)
Additional information
Filming datesApril 22 (2008-04-22) 
May 14, 2008 (2008-05-14) [1]
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 12
Next 
Season 14
List of episodes

The Amazing Race 13 is the thirteenth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race . Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited five continents and eight countries and traveled over 40,000 miles (64,000 km). Starting in Los Angeles, racers traveled through Brazil, Bolivia, New Zealand, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia before returning to the United States and finishing in Portland, Oregon. The season premiered on CBS on September 28, 2008, and the season finale aired on December 7, 2008. [2]

Siblings Nick and Starr Spangler were the winners of this season, while former NFL safety Ken Greene and his wife Tina finished in second place, and fraternity brothers Andrew Lappitt and Dan Honig finished in third place.

Production

Development and filming

The starting line was at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the neighborhood of University Park in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Entrance).JPG
The starting line was at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the neighborhood of University Park in Los Angeles.

The Amazing Race 13 spanned 40,000 miles (64,000 km) in 23 days and visited eight different countries. [3] This included the series' first visits to Bolivia, Cambodia, and Kazakhstan. CBS had originally planned to only air one installment of The Amazing Race (season 12) in the 2007–08 season, but due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, CBS ordered a thirteenth installment as a replacement for programs affected by the strike. [4] CBS greenlit the thirteenth installment on December 9, 2007. [5] Season locations were scouted in January 2008 and filming took place between April and May 2008. [6] [7] [8]

Toni and Dallas Imbimbo were absent from the finish line, because Dallas had misplaced his passport and the team's money in Moscow, Russia, during the penultimate leg. [9] This had been hinted at in promotional materials aired before the season began, where CBS revealed that one team made "an unprecedented mistake that ultimately prohibit[ed] them from joining their fellow Racers at the Finish Line." [10] The passport was eventually turned in at the U.S. Embassy in Russia, but it was still too late for Toni and Dallas to join their fellow racers at the finish line. [9] Starr Spangler revealed in a post-show interview that they did join the other racers in Portland, Oregon, at a party following the end of the competition. [11]

Marketing

CBS heavily promoted the new season, including placing advertising on the top of three hangar buildings at Los Angeles International Airport prior to the premiere. [12] Unlike other seasons, CBS revealed a location map of where the show would be traveling prior to the start of the season. [13]

Cast

Mark Yturralde and Anita and Arthur Jones Anita and Arthur Jones.jpg
Mark Yturralde and Anita and Arthur Jones
Ken Greene (left) and Tina Greene (right) Kenneth Greene and Christina Greene.jpg
Ken Greene (left) and Tina Greene (right)
Nick and Starr Spangler and Dallas Imbimbo Nicholas Spangler, Emily Spangler and Dallas Imbimbo.jpg
Nick and Starr Spangler and Dallas Imbimbo

The cast this season featured a team of fraternity brothers, married hippies, southern belles, businesswomen divorcées, and a retired NFL player hoping to reconnect with his estranged wife. [14] Ken Greene was a safety for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers before retiring in 1984. [15]

Starr Spangler and Dallas Imbimbo, who had competed on opposing teams, revealed in interviews that they had been dating long-distance for six months since the show completed taping. [9] [11] The two eventually ended their relationship due to the distance. [16]

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Anita Jones63Married Beekeepers Eugene, Oregon Eliminated 1st
(in Salvador, Brazil)
Arthur Jones61
Anthony Marotta32Dating Los Angeles, California Eliminated 2nd
(in Fortaleza, Brazil)
Stephanie Kacandes32
Mark Yturralde41Best Friends San Diego, California Eliminated 3rd
(in La Paz, Bolivia)
Bill Kahler42
Marisa Axelrod22Southern Belles Spartanburg, South Carolina Eliminated 4th
(in Tauranga, New Zealand)
Brooke Jackson24 Columbia, South Carolina
Aja Benton25Dating Long Distance Los Angeles, California Eliminated 5th
(in Siem Reap, Cambodia)
Ty White 25 West Bloomfield, Michigan
Kelly Crabb26Divorcées Houston, Texas Eliminated 6th
(in Delhi, India)
Christy Cook26 Austin, Texas
Terence Gerchberg35Newly Dating New York City, New York Eliminated 7th
(in Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Sarah Leshner31
Toni Imbimbo51Mother & Son Woodside, California Eliminated 8th
(in Moscow, Russia)
Dallas Imbimbo22
Andrew Lappitt22 Frat Boys Tucson, Arizona Third place
Dan Honig23 Wilmington, Delaware
Ken Greene 51Separated Tampa, Florida Runners-up
Tina Greene48 San Diego, California
Nick Spangler22Siblings New York City, New York Winners
Starr Spangler21 Fort Worth, Texas
Future appearances

Terence Gerchberg and Andrew Lappitt later attended the public start of season 25. [17]

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

Team placement (by leg)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Nick & Starr1st6th6th5th1st1st1st1stƒ [a] 3rd1st1st
Ken & Tina2nd1st1st1stƒ [a] 3rd6th4th3rd2nd3rd2nd
Andrew & Dan7th8th7th6th6th5th5th4th4th2nd3rd
Toni & Dallas6th5th2nd4th2nd3rd2nd2nd1st4th [b]
Terence & Sarah3rd3rd3rd2nd5th [c] 4th3rd5th
Kelly & Christy5th7th8th3rd4th2nd6th
Aja & Ty8th4th5th7th7th
Marisa & Brooke10th9th4th8th
Mark & Bill4th2nd9th [d]
Anthony & Stephanie9th10th
Anita & Arthur11th
Notes
  1. 1 2 This team won the Fast Forward on this leg.
  2. Toni & Dallas were initially denied their clue at the Detour, because they had taken the metro instead of a taxi, and were required to go back to the end of the Roadblock and return to the Detour via taxi. After all of the other teams had checked in at the Pit Stop, Phil came to Rizhskaya Station to inform Toni & Dallas of their elimination.
  3. Terence & Sarah initially arrived 3rd, but were issued a 30-minute penalty for speeding. They departed the next leg 5th.
  4. Mark & Bill initially arrived 8th, but were issued a 30-minute penalty for taking a taxi instead of going on foot to the Detour as the clue had instructed. Kelly & Christy checked in during this penalty time, dropping Mark & Bill to last.

Race summary

The route of The Amazing Race 13. The Amazing Race 13 map.png
The route of The Amazing Race 13.
Destinations Legenda lotnisko.svg Air travel    Legenda kolej.svg Rail travel    BSicon BOOT.svg Water travel    Bus-logo.svg Bus travel
Maki-heliport-15.svg Helicopter travel    Maki-bicycle-15.svg Bicycle travel    Maki-aerialway-15.svg Gondola travel
Route Markers Detour icon.svg Detour    Roadblock icon.svg Roadblock    Fast Forward icon.svg Fast Forward    Speed Bump icon.svg Speed Bump    TAR-pitstop-icon.png Pit Stop

Leg 1 (United States → Brazil)

Teams checked in at the Pit Stop at the Forte de Sao Marcelo during this first leg of the race in Salvador, Brazil. Vista aerea do Forte de Sao Marcelo.jpg
Teams checked in at the Pit Stop at the Forte de São Marcelo during this first leg of the race in Salvador, Brazil.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 2 (Brazil)

For part of the Detour, teams traveled to Pecem Beach and moved a traditional Brazilian sailboat known as a jangada. Jangada-Tibau.jpg
For part of the Detour, teams traveled to Pecém Beach and moved a traditional Brazilian sailboat known as a jangada .
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 3 (Brazil → Bolivia)

Teams finished the leg in Bolivia at the Mirador el Monticulo, which overlooks the mountainous city of La Paz. ArcoMonticulo2.JPG
Teams finished the leg in Bolivia at the Mirador el Monticulo, which overlooks the mountainous city of La Paz.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 4 (Bolivia → New Zealand)

In Auckland, racers participated in a Roadblock at Mount Eden by searching among dancing Maori warriors for one with a specific ta moko facial tattoo. Auckland Mount Eden.jpg
In Auckland, racers participated in a Roadblock at Mount Eden by searching among dancing Māori warriors for one with a specific tā moko facial tattoo.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 5 (New Zealand → Cambodia)

At the famous Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, racers searched for a chamber inside that produced a specific echo. Angkor Wat W-Seite.jpg
At the famous Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, racers searched for a chamber inside that produced a specific echo.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 6 (Cambodia → India)

For the Roadblock in Delhi, one team member had to paint an auto rickshaw green. Autorickshaw on Raj Path New Delhi.JPG
For the Roadblock in Delhi, one team member had to paint an auto rickshaw green.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 7 (India)

Teams ended the second leg in Delhi around the tomb of Isa Khan at the historic Humayun's Tomb, which served as the Pit Stop for this leg. Isa Khan Niyazi's tomb in Delhi.jpg
Teams ended the second leg in Delhi around the tomb of Isa Khan at the historic Humayun's Tomb, which served as the Pit Stop for this leg.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 8 (India → Kazakhstan)

At the Kok Tobe Arch, teams received their next clue from a trained golden eagle. Kazakh man in traditional costume.jpg
At the Kok Tobe Arch, teams received their next clue from a trained golden eagle.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 9 (Kazakhstan → Russia)

After arriving in Moscow, teams visited the Dormition Cathedral in Krutitsy, where they paid their respects in an Eastern Orthodox candle-lighting ceremony. Krutitskoe podvorie by shakko 07.jpg
After arriving in Moscow, teams visited the Dormition Cathedral in Krutitsy, where they paid their respects in an Eastern Orthodox candle-lighting ceremony.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 10 (Russia)

Teams finished the second leg in Moscow in front of VDNKh Park's Central Pavilion, which overlooks Propylaea: the central gate entrance. Tsentral'nyi pavil'on VDNKh Moskva 01.JPG
Teams finished the second leg in Moscow in front of VDNKh Park's Central Pavilion, which overlooks Propylaea: the central gate entrance.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 11 (Russia → United States)

The final leg in Oregon included a final memory task which took place around Cascade Locks and Canal, including the Bridge of the Gods. BridgeOfTheGods2.jpg
The final leg in Oregon included a final memory task which took place around Cascade Locks and Canal, including the Bridge of the Gods.
Locations
Episode summary
LegSymbolLocationCountry
1Route InfoO Rei do PernilBrazil
2DetourBarraca do ManoelBrazil
3RoadblockLos Titanes del RingBolivia
4Pit StopSummerhill Recreational FarmNew Zealand
5RoadblockAngkor WatCambodia
6Route InfoAmbassador HotelIndia
7DetourNai SarakIndia
8Pit StopOld SquareKazakhstan
9Route InfoKrutitsyRussia
10RoadblockFallen Monument ParkRussia

Elimination Station

The first five teams eliminated were sequestered at a villa in Acapulco, Mexico to await the finale. Subsequently, eliminated teams telephoned to inform the teams at the villa of their elimination, but continued to run as decoys to throw off spoilers to the final outcome of the season. The sequestered teams met up with the decoy teams in the final destination city, to cheer the final three teams at the Finish Line. (The exception was Toni & Dallas, who were stuck in Russia after their elimination due to the loss of Dallas' passport.)

CBS posted short videos on its website after each episode aired in the Pacific Time Zone to show the eliminated teams interacting at the villa.

Reception

Critical response

The Amazing Race 13 received mixed-to-positive reviews. Diana Steenbergen of IGN called this another successful season writing that "for the most part, the race was designed well, and the tasks were often very funny" and "this season was cast with an adequate bunch of contestants". [20] Arthur Perkins of Reality Wanted praised this season's cast and wrote that "AR13 will rank high on my list of topnotch Amazing Races." [21] Heather Havrilesky of Salon wrote that even after 13 seasons the show "remain entertaining regardless of the personalities involved." [22] Josh Wolk of Entertainment Weekly wrote that he felt indifferent by the end of the season. [23] Michael Hewitt of the Orange County Register called this "a sometimes maddening season." [24] Reece Forward of Screen Rant ranked this season as the show's best praising the cast, humor, and story arcs writing that "It's a season that gets lost in the shuffle a lot of the time due to following one of the most popular seasons among fans, and preceding a season that marked a clear change in the show" but "when it gets the attention it deserves, it's clear that season 13 stands well on its own as one of the funniest, most endearing seasons of The Amazing Race with a unique cast, gorgeous locations, and consistent positive quality episode to episode." [25] In 2016, this season was ranked 16th out of the first 27 seasons by the Rob Has a Podcast Amazing Race correspondents. [26] In 2021, Val Barone of TheThings ranked this season as the show's 6th best season. [27] In 2024, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant placed this season within the bottom 13 out of 36. [28]

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen ratings
#EpisodeRatingShare Rating/Share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
1"Bees are Much Calmer Than All This"6.0910.29
2"Do You Like American Candy?"6.6103.2/710.78
3"Did You Push My Sports Bra Off the Ledge?"5.692.8/79.17
4"I Wonder if They Like Blondes in New Zealand"5.893.0/79.67
5"Do It Like a Madman"5.892.9/79.71
6"Please Hold While I Singe My Skull"5.992.8/79.76
7"My Nose is on Fire"7.1113.3/811.68
8"I'm Like an Angry Cow"7.3113.4/812.25
9"That is Studly"6.092.7/610.13
10"You're Gonna Get Me Killed"7.1103.6/811.60
11"You Look Like Peter Pan"6.293.1/710.57
Canadian ratings
#EpisodeViewers
(millions)
Rank
(Overall)
1"Bees are Much Calmer Than All This"1.89#8 [29]
2"Do You Like American Candy?"1.84#5
3"Did You Push My Sports Bra Off the Ledge?"1.48#11
4"I Wonder if They Like Blondes in New Zealand"1.67#7
5"Do It Like a Madman"1.74#10
6"Please Hold While I Singe My Skull"1.70#8
7"My Nose is on Fire"1.85#8
8"I'm Like an Angry Cow"1.67#11
9"That is Studly"1.72#9
10"You're Gonna Get Me Killed"1.86#9
11"You Look Like Peter Pan"2.14#3

References

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