Brett Hamby and Mark Romain may not have made it to the finale of The Amazing Race Season 37, but the experience was more than just about winning for them.
After being eliminated in episode 10, the couple sat down for an interview and shared the real reason they joined the race: to reconnect. As longtime fans of the show, they had always dreamed of being a part of it. But as life got busier and their schedules rarely aligned, they found themselves drifting into a routine of "divide and conquer."
"I mean, I think that's what's special about the race. We just really wanted some time together. We really wanted to feel like a team," Mark said in the interview, reflecting on what the show meant to them beyond competition.
Having watched The Amazing Race with their grandparents as children, Mark and Brett had always promised to apply at some point. They viewed that someday as a much-needed break from the everyday grind and an opportunity to reminisce about what it was really like to work as a team. Even though they lost the race, they left with something more worthwhile: a fresh bond.
Why Brett and Mark joined The Amazing Race Season 37
For Brett Hamby and Mark Romain, competing on The Amazing Race meant more than simply crossing something off their bucket list; it meant spending more time together. Even before they met, the pair, who had been viewers for years, claimed to have been longtime followers.
"We were fans for a long time. So I would watch with my grandparents, and he would watch with his grandparents before we met," Brett recalls.
The decision to finally apply came after years of opposite work schedules and a growing sense of distance. Something has to change for us. In order to regain a sense of unity, Mark stated, "We need to get away." They reconnected and had a much-needed respite from routine thanks to the marathon.
Brett and Mark’s The Amazing Race journey showed growth and adaptability
The Amazing Race tests both mental and athletic abilities, but Brett and Mark discovered that flexibility was as important. Mark acknowledged,
"You just don't know, so you kind of have to just roll with the punches on things you can't control and then just make up the time where you can," Mark alluding to early transportation and navigational problems.
The couple learnt to concentrate on the things they could control, such as their mood and perspective, regardless of unforeseen setbacks or a perplexed cab driver.
"We can't keep struggling forever, and that's out of our control. So what's in our control is, let's have a little fun!" Mark added.
This mental shift not only improved their race performance but also helped them connect better with other teams, showing that the show is as much about resilience as it is about racing.
Watch Mark and Brett's journey on The Amazing Race Season 37 on CBS.