The fourth edition of the 45,000-mile race around the world concludes as the final three teams dash to the finish line in the western U.S., after stops in Australia and Hawaii. The pairs vying for the $1 million first-place prize: married gay partners Reichen and Chip; best friends David and Jeff; and engaged couple Kelly and Jon.

One team's attempt to use humor to lighten up a competition backfires; one player overturns a dune buggy; a competitor runs over his partner's foot with a car.

Teams attempt to descend face first down the side of a skyscraper. Later, they are required to retrieve a clue from a tank filled with sharks.

Teams attempt to eat live baby octopi, two teams get lost and inadvertently drive toward the North Korean border only to face columns of tanks and machine-gun nests, and players must swim through frigid water beneath a frozen lake.

Exhaustion and infighting contribute to one team becoming lost in Malaysia, and the two last-placed teams dash to the finish just seconds apart to avoid being eliminated.

A team reveals a secret during an emotional reunion between the remaining contestants; and another team tries to eavesdrop on opponents receiving information at an airline office.

Teams must endure a 26-hour ride on a hot, filthy train. Also: two teams opt for bizarre forms of transportation to reach a pit stop.

The teams travel to Bombay, India, and some of the women are offended by advances made by local men. Also: one team pursues a risky flight option that the other pairs refuse.

One team faces a complete breakdown which leads the members to contemplate quitting the race. Also: teams must deal with a 15-ft. pile of cow manure in a competition.

The teams travel to Le Mans, France, and must ride in a racing car. Also: two teams jump to the head of a line which leads to bitter accusations and threats.

A frightening asthma attack brings one team to a sudden halt. Also: the teams must bungee jump from 460 feet

The teams slide down a snowy mountain on rafts, but one pair ends up going down on their backsides. Also: one team bullies its way to the front of a line and then barricades a door to keep the others out; and one team member's injury threatens to destroy the duo.

The fourth edition of the race around the world for $1 million begins at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where the 12 teams of two learn their first destination: Milan, Italy. From there, the pairs travel to the Cinque Torri area of the Alps and must choose between searching for an object hidden in the snow or walking across a rope bridge and then riding a zip line between two high peaks.