Teams » Season 8

Weaver Family
Widow & Kids
Age: Linda (46), Rebecca (19), Rachel (16) & Rolly (14)
Occupation: Linda (Elementary School Teacher)
Hometown: Ormond Beach, FL
Linda, the mother of three, lost her husband and their father almost two years ago in an accident at Daytona International Speedway. Since her husband's death, Linda has been forced to play the role of both breadwinner and nurturer. Linda hopes her experiences on THE AMAZING RACE will alleviate some of the heartache from the past couple of years.

Rebecca enjoys surfing and horseback riding. Her proudest accomplishment is getting through the turmoil of losing her father without going crazy. Rachel likes four-wheeling and riding horses. Rolly, the youngest team member, enjoys football and basketball. He admits that he's running the Race for his father. All three children and their mother have dealt with their loss in their own distinct ways and are looking forward to the experience of traveling and competing together as a family.

Black Family
Mother, Father, and Kids
Age: Reggie (42), Kimberly (40), Kenneth (11) & Austin (8)
Occupation: Reggie (High School Teacher), Kimberly (5th Grade Teacher) & Kenneth and Austin (Students)
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Reggie and Kimberly, who met in undergraduate school, have been married for over 17 years. Their two sons, Kenneth and Austin round out this team of four who compete competitively in Tae Kwon Do tournaments.

Reggie is the team leader. He describes himself as calm yet competitive. Reggie graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in mathematics.

Kimberly considers herself to be witty and determined. She earned her Masters in Education from Marymount University.

Kenneth is entering sixth grade. His favourite hobbies are soccer and Tae Kwon Do. Kenneth earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do over two years ago.

Austin is the youngest contestant ever to compete in THE AMAZING RACE. He will be in the fourth grade and has an advanced brown belt in Tae Kwon Do. Austin plans on earning his black belt within the next few months.

The Black Family is the epitome of dedication and heart. Despite their limited travelling experience, they are determined to show they have what it takes to compete on THE AMAZING RACE.

Linz Family
Siblings
Age: Nick (24), Alex (22), Megan (21) & Tommy (19)
Occupation: Nick (Sales), Alex (Emergency Room Tech), Megan (Student at Miami University of Ohio) & Tommy (Student at Miami University of Ohio)
Hometown: Nick (Buffalo, NY) & Alex, Megan and Tommy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
This close-knit team is comprised of three brothers and one feisty sister who are so deeply rooted in Cincinnati that they have over 50 first cousins living in or near the Cincinnati area. The Linz's parents have been married for more than 28 years.

Nick is the oldest on the team. He describes himself as hardworking and friendly.
,br /> Alex recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati. He says he is optimistic and proud.

Tommy is currently enrolled at Miami University of Ohio. Tommy, who played on the Miami University lacrosse team, is willing and outgoing.

Megan is the only female on the team. She also attends Miami University of Ohio and is studying Strategic Communications. Megan enjoys cheerleading and field hockey. Although she's outnumbered by the boys, she and her brothers are very close. The Linz siblings are well-traveled, athletic, very competitive and ready to embark on a race around the world!

Gaghan Family
Mother, Father & Kids
Age: Tammy (42), Bill (40), Billy (12) & Carissa (9)
Occupation: Tammy (Substitue Teacher for her local school district), Bill (Jet-Engine Sales), Billy (7th Grade Student) & Carissa (4th Grade STudent)
Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Bill admits his biggest pet peeve about himself is his lack of patience. Bill is hoping the Race will show his family the importance of working together as a team and the benefits of never giving up.

Tammy is a substitute teacher for her local school district. Having lived in Korea for over three years, Tammy and Bill have traveled extensively. Both compete in marathons across the country and are planning to run one in each state.

Billy describes himself as outgoing and adventurous. His mother says he's currently going through typical pre-teen mood swings and hopes that this won't interfere with his ability to focus on the Race. Billy's favorite activities are football and running. He intends to show his dad that he has what it takes to compete in the Race.

Carissa is playful and silly. While she is one of the younger Racers, her dad feels her keen eyes and fighting spirit will make up for her small size. She enjoys running with her dog, Blaze, and playing soccer. Carissa wants to show her parents that she is a tough competitor ready to take on the adults in the race.

The Gaghan family has traveled around the world and are hoping those experiences have prepared them for this competition.

Paolo Family
Mother, Father & Sons
Age: Tony (52), Marion (52), DJ (24) & Brian (18)
Occupation: Tony (Sanitation Worker), Marion (Homemaker), DJ (Title Report Production) & Brian (Senior in High School)
Hometown: Carmel, NY
Tony and Marion Paolo are the proud parents of two sons, DJ and Brian. The bickering is constant for these lovable New Yorkers.

Tony describes himself as hardworking and charismatic and says the most exciting moment of his life was coming to the United States from Italy. Marion considers herself to be persevering and hard-headed. Marion's pet peeve about Tony is that he lets his sons get away with too much.

Spontaneous and stubborn, DJ admits to having a fear of heights as well as a big mouth. His brother, Brian is painfully embarrassed by his family and is convinced he's the only sane one in the bunch. Neither son thinks their mother will be able to last long on the Race.

No matter how much picking and nagging goes on amongst this foursome, the Paolos are ready to put all that aside for the chance to win $1 million.

Bransen Family
Father & Daughters
Age: Walter (51), Elizabeth (25), Lauren (22), & Lindsay (20)
Occupation: Walter (CFO) & Lindsay (Student at Hope College)
Hometown: Park Ridge, IL
The Bransen family team once appeared together in a Pert Shampoo commercial several years ago.

Walter, the self-proclaimed leader of the group, has been married for 31 years. He is a native of Chicago. The proud dad of five children, Walter describes himself as being reserved and analytical. He is also a history buff in regards to anything about Abraham Lincoln and belongs to the Abraham Lincoln Association.

Elizabeth is the oldest daughter. She recently obtained a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois. Elizabeth describes herself as personable and trustworthy and has a fear of heights. She and Walter have similar personalities and sometimes their stubbornness can cause friction between the two.

Lauren recently earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Business Management from Hope College. Punctual and adaptable, Lauren admits she can be impatient.

Lindsay is the youngest of the sisters. Currently, she's majoring in Social Work. Lindsay complains that her older sisters are always telling her what to do.

The Bransens are well-traveled and eager to compete as a family for the chance to win the $1 million prize.

Aiello Family
Father & Sons-In-Law
Age: Tom (57), Matt (31), Kevin (31) & David (26)
Occupation: Tom (Restaurant Consultant), Matt (Corporate Project Manager), Kevin (Public Relations for a high-tech company) & David (Police Officer)
When Tony Aiello first met the men who would eventually capture the hearts of his three beloved daughters, he never thought he'd end up racing around the world with them. "Forget about it," he'd quip.

Compelled by a gnawing curiosity about how his three sons-in-law would handle such a competition, Tony, leads the unlikely foursome from Mansfield, Massachusetts, for their first official trip without their wives by their side.

Tony describes himself as protective and competitive. Even though his favorite movie of all time is the "Godfather," his tough exterior melts away when it comes to his daughters, who he says are his greatest accomplishment.

Kevin is married to one of Tony's twin daughters. The father of two is a self-described risk-taker with a love for travel and adventure.

Matt is known for his fearlessness and sense of humor. Matt, married to Tony's other twin daughter, is a father of two as well.

David is the youngest on the team, but the most well-trained. His spent eight years as an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps. He's married to Tony's youngest daughter.

The Race will surely show these in-laws the different sides to each other as they are forced to bond outside the familiar comfort of their family circle.

Schroeder Family
Father, Stepmother & Kids
Age: Mark (40), Char (39), Stassi (17) & Hunter (15)
Occupation: Mark (Architect), Char (Public Relations Director), Stassi (Senior in High School) & Hunter (9th Grade Student)
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Mark is married to Char. Mark's two children from a previous marriage, Stassi and Hunter round out the well-traveled team.

Mark enjoys painting, working out and is admittedly arrogant and confident. Mark hopes the Race will teach his family how to rely on each other.

Focused and friendly, Char is the family mediator and is forced to step in to resolve family conflicts from time to time.

Stassi is the queen of the family. She is outgoing and adventurous

Her younger brother, Hunter describes himself as preppy and hyper. Several of Hunter's teammates complain that he can be lazy at times--a trait not commonly found in the Race.

As they embark on the ultimate family vacation, the ultra-competitive Schroeders are ready for any challenges the Race throws their way.

Godlewski Family
Sisters
Age: Michelle (42), Sharon (39), Christine (37) & Tricia (26)
Occupation: Sharon (Insurance Claim Consultant) & Christine (Homemaker)
Hometown: Des Plaines, IL
The Godlewski family is a team of sisters. The four siblings, from oldest to youngest, are Michelle, Sharon, Christine and Tricia. Each sister has her own personality, which might cause some roadblocks of their own along the way.

Michelle is the most direct of the group. She describes herself as excitable and competitive.

Sharon says she's alluring and personable and admits that she thrives on challenges.

Christine is a bit obsessive. The mother of four, Christine's biggest pet peeve about herself is not being able to defend herself when she gets into an argument with her siblings.

Tricia, the youngest, is always forced to play the role of peacemaker. Tricia is hoping to show her big sisters that she has what it takes to endure THE AMAZING RACE.

All four sisters live within 30 minutes of one another. Although they have traveled extensively together, the Race will surely put their relationships to the test as they embark on a much different kind of family vacation.

Rogers Family
Mother, Father, Daughter, & Son
Age: Denny (46), Renee (42), Britney (22) & Brock (19)
Occupation: Denny (Car Business), Renee (Boutique Owner; Beauty Pageant Trainer), Brittney (Pharmaceutical Sales) & Brock (Student)
Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana
The Rogers family is a team of Southerners that consists of Denny his wife Renee and their two children, Brittney, a former Miss Louisiana, and her younger brother Brock.

Denny is a self-proclaimed workaholic. He enjoys hunting and fishing and describes himself as being goal-oriented and stern.

Outgoing and talkative, Renee says that she is responsible for holding the family together.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Brittney is talkative and sassy. She likes shopping and kickboxing.

Brock graduated from high school and is entering college this fall. He enjoys wakeboarding and golf and admits he has little patience.

The Rogers are competitive and ready to race. Denny's motto regarding the Race is: "We never enter anything unless we intend to win."