The Amazing Race 37: Meet the Cast and Uncover All the Twists for 2025
Teams push limits in fresh challenges and bond through high-stakes global missions.
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The Amazing Race 37: Full Cast & Season Breakdown for 2025
The Amazing Race 37 returned in 2025 with its largest cast ever and a host of twists and global locations, captivating fans like never before.
The season, hosted by Phil Keoghan, launched on CBS on March 5, 2025 and concluded May 15, 2025.
Fourteen teams of two with pre-existing relationships competed across ten countries and three continents for the $1 million prize, encountering unique tasks and challenging obstacles that kept the adventure unpredictable.
Meet the Contestants in ‘The Amazing Race’ 2025
Let’s take a closer look at each of the 14 dynamic teams who brought excitement, energy, and drama to every leg of The Amazing Race 37:
- Alyssa Borden & Josiah Borden
Married nurse anesthetists from Philadelphia, PA, ages 31 & 32. Known for their competitive spirits, love for travel, and mutual ability to thrive under pressure.
Occupations: Nurse Anesthetists. - Bernie Gutierrez & Carrigan Scadden
Best friends from Dallas, TX & Denver, CO, ages 31 & 33. Fitness buffs, with Bernie as a personal trainer and Carrigan a spa educator and dragon boat paddler.
Occupations: Personal trainer & Spa educator. - Brett Hamby & Mark Romain
Married Vegas performers, ages 36 & 37, from Las Vegas, NV. Acrobats and dancers/models known for bold personalities and athletic prowess.
Occupations: Acrobat & Dancer/model. - Carson McCalley & Jack Dodge
Best friends and gamers from Brooklyn, NY, ages 28 & 27. Popular game streamers with sharp strategic minds and quick reflexes.
Occupations: Game streamers. - Courtney Ramsey & Jasmin Carey
Dating nurses, ages 33 & 34, from Leland, NC. Registered nurse and nurse practitioner who blend medical expertise with competitive energy.
Occupations: Registered Nurse & Nurse Practitioner. - Ernest Cato & Bridget Cato
Father and daughter team, ages 59 & 28, from Chicago, IL & Somerville, MA. Ernest is a retired chef and former Chicago Police Department officer; Bridget is an account supervisor.
Occupations: Retired chef/Police & Account supervisor. - Han & Holden Nguyen
Siblings who powered their way to second place in this season. Their teamwork and determination were a major highlight. - Jonathan & Ana Towns
Married parents who saw their relationship grow stronger through the race, ultimately finished third. - Melinda & Erika Papadeas
Mother and daughter team exited in the eighth leg. Their emotional journey showed the importance of support and resilience. - Nick & Mike Fiorito
Brothers and podcasters who brought humor and competitive flair, ultimately leaving in seventh place. - Jeff “Pops” & Jeff Bailey
Father and son lumberjack duo from the Pacific Northwest, finished eighth. Their grit left a memorable mark on viewers. - Additional Teams
Several other pairs rounded out the largest lineup ever, each adding their own distinct flavor and drama. Full details for every team available throughout the season.
The Race: Routes, Destinations, and Distinctive Twists
The 2025 season expanded The Amazing Race’s global coverage even further, with teams traveling more than 29,000 miles across:
- Los Angeles, USA (Start Line)
- Hong Kong
- Japan (featuring a bullet train and taiko drum experience)
- Indonesia
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai — skydiving challenge)
- Bulgaria
- Italy
- Germany
- France
- Portugal
- Miami, USA (Finish Line)
Every leg featured new and returning intricacies. Among them:
- Double Elimination Leg: Two teams go home in one episode.
- Intersection: Teams must collaborate, temporarily joining forces for a shared task.
- Fast Forward: Race-defining opportunity for a team to skip ahead to the pit stop if they complete a challenging task.
- Double U-Turn: Added strategic depth by allowing two teams to force others to perform additional challenges.
- Live U-Turn Vote: The twist of voting for which team faces the U-Turn live — introducing real-time drama.
- Scramble: Every team must complete all detours in one wild, time-based leg.
- New for 2025:
- Fork in the Road: Presented teams with a major decision that drastically altered their route — choices had lasting ramifications.
- Driver’s Seat: Opportunities for teams to take control of other teams’ transportation arrangements, impacting race progress.
- Valet Roulette: A luck-based event, giving or restricting access to special transport or privileges.
| Country/Region | Featured Challenge/Highlight | Transport Method |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (Osaka) | Bulllet train ride, taiko drum performance | Rail, Bus |
| UAE (Dubai) | Skydiving over cityscape | Air, Helicopter |
| Bulgaria | Ancient landmark puzzle | Bus, Bicycle |
| Italy | Culinary speed task | Gondola, Bus |
| Germany | Historic challenge/game | Bus, Rail |
| France | Art-based Roadblock | Bicycle, Rail |
| Portugal | Water navigation challenge | Water taxi, Bus |
Season Highlights: Drama, Triumph, and Major Moments
This season was defined by both its surprising twists and personal stories of growth, alliance, and heartbreak:
- Carson McCalley & Jack Dodge clinched victory with clever navigation of game mechanics, strategic U-Turn usage, and unmatched gaming skills.
- Han & Holden Nguyen finished second, earning praise for resilience and teamwork through strenuous tasks.
- Jonathan & Ana Towns rounded out the top trio, sharing their marriage journey and the impact of the Race on their relationship.
- Alyssa & Josiah Borden reached the final, their chemistry making them fan favorites.
- Teams faced eliminations based on poor task decisions, fatigue, and luck-driven game changers, leading to a constant reshuffling of rankings.
- Episode structure was expanded to 90-minute installments, affording deeper insights into challenges, conflicts, and travel drama.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who won The Amazing Race 37 in 2025?
Carson McCalley & Jack Dodge, best friends and gamers from Brooklyn, won the season through smart gameplay and perseverance.
Q: How many teams competed in The Amazing Race 37?
This season featured 14 teams of two, the largest roster in the show’s history.
Q: Which new twists were introduced in Season 37?
The season added Fork in the Road, Driver’s Seat, and Valet Roulette, dramatically impacting the game’s strategies.
Q: What countries did teams visit in 2025?
Teams raced across ten countries, including notable stops in the USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, the UAE, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, France, and Portugal.
Q: Who was the host for The Amazing Race 37?
Phil Keoghan returned as the host, renowned for his energetic travel expertise and engaging interaction with contestants.
Q: What themes defined this season?
- Resilience between old friends, married couples, and siblings.
- Strategic adaptation to new game mechanics.
- Exploration of global cultures and landmarks.
- Real, unscripted drama and emotional moments.
Why This Season Stands Out
- Largest cast ever: Diversity in relationships, backgrounds, and personalities.
- Innovative twists: New mechanics kept the race fresh and unpredictable.
- Global reach: New countries, new tasks, and immersive local experiences.
- Longer episodes: More screen time for challenges, travel, and contestant dynamics.
Final Standings: Top Teams
| Team | Relationship | Final Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Carson McCalley & Jack Dodge | Best friends/gamers | 1st (Winners) |
| Han & Holden Nguyen | Siblings | 2nd |
| Jonathan & Ana Towns | Married parents | 3rd |
| Alyssa & Josiah Borden | Married nurse anesthetists | 4th |
| Brett Hamby & Mark Romain | Married Vegas performers | 5th |
What to Watch for Next
Following on from a season packed with global adventures, emotional highs, and unexpected game changes, The Amazing Race continues to set itself apart as a reality competition staple.
Season 37 set the bar high for diversity, innovation, and sheer excitement. With Phil Keoghan at the helm and energetic casting, CBS viewers left the season anticipating even bigger twists for future races.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does The Amazing Race filming take?
A: Typically, a standard season films over approximately 22-26 days, including travel and production setup in each country.
Q: Are contestants responsible for booking their own travel?
A: No, travel is arranged by production, but contestants must navigate all local transit and logistics on the fly as part of each leg’s challenge.
Q: Where can I watch The Amazing Race 37?
A: All episodes aired on CBS and are available for streaming on affiliated video platforms and streaming services.
Ready to relive the adventure? Bookmark this guide for all your The Amazing Race 37 cast, episode, twist, and travel highlights.
References
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