The 'Race' Returns

Fasten your safety belts! The fourth season of "The Amazing Race" gets under way Thursday, May 29, on CBS.

Twelve teams, each comprised of two people who have a pre-existing relationship, will race around the world and compete for the $1 million grand prize. This race kicks off at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Phil Keoghan, "The Amazing Race" host, visited The Early Show to give a preview of what to expect from the latest season of globe-trotters.

Among the varied teams to compete are a married couple who describe themselves as "fat, 40 and fun," a couple that identified themselves as "dating 12 years – virgins," circus clown friends, and buxom models.

Keoghan says "The Amazing Race" is a test of physical and psychological endurance, as well as a dandy travelogue. But, he says, it's mostly a test of relationships.

The following are the 12 teams competing in the summer of 2003 "The Amazing Race," listed in no specific order:

1. Name: David Dean
   Occupation: Owner of a Marketing Agency
   Age: 32
   Hometown: Los Angeles
   
   Name: Jeff Strnad
   Occupation: Commercial and Residential Broker
   Age: 37
   Hometown: Manhattan Beach, Calif.
   
   Relationship: Best Friends
   
   
2. Name: "Tian" Kitchen
   Occupation: Model
   Age: 30
   Hometown: Miami Beach
   
   Name: Jaree Poteet
   Occupation: Model
   Age: 33
   Hometown: Miami Beach
   
   Relationship: Friends/Models
   
   
3. Name: Millie Smith
   Occupation: Environmental Teacher at Aquarium
   Age: 29
   Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.
   
   Name: Chuck Shankles
   Occupation: Self-Employed
   Age: 28
   Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.
   
   Relationship: Dating 12 years/virgins
   
   
4. Name: Reichen Lehmkuhl
   Occupation: Pilot
   Age: 28
   Hometown: Beverly Hills, Calif.
   
   Name: Chip Arndt
   Occupation: Consultant/Entrepreneur
   Age: 36
   Hometown: Beverly Hills, Calif.
   
   Relationship: Married
   
   
5. Name: Debra Carmody
   Occupation: Director of an Artists Colony
   Age: 49
   Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
   
   Name: Steve Carmody
   Occupation: Radio News Director
   Age: 40
   Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
   
   Relationship: Married Parents
   
   
6. Name: Monica Ambrose
   Occupation: Mother/Homemaker
   Age: 29
   Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
   
   Name: Sheree Buchanan
   Occupation: Mother/Homemaker
   Age: 31
   Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
   
   Relationship: NFL wives/mothers
   
   
7. Name: Kelly Parks
   Occupation: Model
   Age: 30
   Hometown: Miami; originally from Mansfield, Texas
   
   Name: Jon Corso
   Occupation: Real Estate Agent
   Age: 28
   Hometown: Miami; originally from Franklin Lakes, N. J.
   
   Relationship: Engaged
   
   
8. Name: Steve Meitz
   Occupation: Air Traffic Controller
   Age: 46
   Hometown: Chicago
   
   Name: Dave Cottingham
   Occupation: Air Traffic Controller
   Age: 43
   Hometown: Chicago
   
   Relationship: Air Traffic Controllers
   
   
9. Name: Amanda Adams
   Occupation: Physical Rehabilitation Technician
   Age: 25
   Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.
   
   Name: Chris Garry
   Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer
   Age: 28
   Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.
   
   Relationship: Dating
   
   
10. Name: Steve Cottingham
    Occupation: Supervisor at a Juvenile Detention Facility
    Age: 47
    Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.
    
    Name: Josh Cottingham
    Occupation: Computer Technician
    Age: 21
    Hometown: Los Angeles
    
    Relationship: Father/Son
    
    
11. Name: Russell Brown
    Occupation: Model/Actor
    Age: 32
    Hometown: Hermosa Beach, Calif.
    
    Name: Cindy Duck
    Occupation: Inventor
    Age: 39
    Hometown: Los Angeles
    
    Relationship: Friends/Dating
    
    
12. Name: Jon Weiss
    Occupation: Clown ("Human Cannon Ball")
    Age: 40
    Hometown: Long Island, New York
    
    Name: Al Rios
    Occupation: Clown for a Cruise Ship
    Age: 34
    Hometown: Long Island, New York
    
    Relationship: Best Friends/Clowns

The fourth installment of "The Amazing Race" premieres Thursday, May 29, 2003, 8 p.m. ET/PT.