Long running CBS show "The Amazing Race" returns next Thursday, March 30 for its 29th race around the world. And this time, the show has a Fort Worth twist. Local Ashton Theiss, a Realtor with Rogers Healy, will compete on the show.
Theiss said her Texas roots helped her prepare for the show. "I grew up on ranches hunting, and at lakes fishing. I love riding four-wheelers, camping, hiking and basically any other outdoor activity. I don't blink twice over getting my hands dirty. As they say, 'a little dirt don't hurt.' Being comfortable in the outdoors and driving basically anything with four wheels made The Race and the challenges something I was happy and comfortable in tackling. On top of that, I like to think that my Fort Worth charm played in my favor."
In another twist, this year all 22 racers are complete strangers who will meet on the starting line. Before beginning the journey, racers competed in a challenge to determine the order for picking teammates based on first impressions.
Theiss is one of two women from North Texas. Francesca Piccoli, an Army Drill Sergeant from Plano, will also compete on the show.
A press release from CBS teased a few of the challenges on this year's season, including building and delivering desks and school supplies to children in Tanzania, skydiving in Norway and bungee jumping 240 feet into the Corinth Canal in Greece. The first team to cross the final finish line will win a one million dollar prize and be crowned the winners of "The Amazing Race."
The new season of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres, Thursday, March 30 at 9 p.m. on CBS.
