UPDATED: 'Biggest Loser' issues a marathon apology for misleading viewers

It was an inspiring finish to this week's two-part episode of NBC's "The Biggest Loser": Dane, who lost 100 pounds in just eight weeks before being eliminated from the weight-loss competition, is seen running a marathon alongside his fit-and-trim wife and crossing the finish line in what appears to be an eye-popping time of three hours and 53 minutes.

Only it didn't happen. Dane got himself an assist to the finish line courtesy of a field producer. UPDATED: Here's the statement Dane released late Friday:

"I always intended to run the full marathon. At the 17th mile, I knew I would not make it in time to cross the finish line before it closed at 6 hours, so I then received a ride from the field producer, who wanted to show me crossing the finish line. He drove me for three miles, and then I ran the rest of the way. After all the filming was done I went back and finished the last 3 miles later that day with my wife and cousin Blaine. I apologize for stating that I ran the entire marathon before I actually ran the whole 26 miles. I am proud of the feat of just running 26 miles in one day."

Here's the statement issued earlier in the day by Reveille, one of the show's producers:

As the Executive Producers of The Biggest Loser we would like to make an official apology and set the record straight with regards to the claim in last nights episode that Dane completed a marathon in Arizona.

After seeing on various online blogs that this information may be inaccurate we investigated the claim and found that Dane had not indeed completed the marathon unaided. From our internal investigation we learned that Dane ran the first 17 miles before receiving a ride from the field producer for 3 miles before rejoining the race at the 20 mile mark whereupon he completed the race.

We are incredibly proud of Dane for running 23 miles and losing over 130 lbs on his weight loss journey so far and wish him luck as he continues his new healthy lifestyle. We have also taken the necessary action to ensure that there is no future misrepresentations and sincerely apologize for misleading our loyal viewers and it was certainly not our intent but an unwitting mistake.

We hope they will continue to be inspired and motivated by all of our contestants and follow them as they continue to change their lives.

Here's NBC's statement:

In the final segment of last night's episode of “The Biggest Loser,” which updated viewers on the status of an eliminated contestant, the former contestant was shown running a marathon in his home state of Arizona. NBC today learned that the contestant did not, in fact, run the entire marathon as depicted in the segment. Because the segment as aired was contrary to NBC policy, we are working with the program producers to determine how this occurred, and to ensure that corrective action is taken.

Sources close to the production said this is what happened:

Dane was eliminated on Thursday night’s show, kicked off by fellow contestants who believed –— rightly — that he was one of the front-runners to win the $250,000 prize that will be handed out to the person who loses the largest percentage of his or her body weight. As is customary, the epilogue to the elimination is a segment in which the cameras catch up with the contestant today, to see whether the weight loss is continuing at home.

Dane’s epilogue was, seemingly, one of the most inspirational in recent memory when it was announced that he’d been training for and had completed a marathon.

But it turns out that an overeager field producer who was following Dane on race day realized that "The Biggest Loser" contestant would not finish the marathon by the six-hour cutoff time, which in turn meant that the producer would not get the footage of Dane crossing the finish line in personal victory. So the field producer picked Dane up in a vehicle and then dropped him a few miles closer to the finish. While the finish time in the background appeared to be 3:53, it was actually 5:53 — the descrepancy being caused by some bum lightbulbs on the time clock that made the 5 appear to be a 3, the source said.

The source also said Dane was so upset that he accepted the ride and didn't run the full distance that he went back later in the day — with his cousin Blaine, who was also with him on the show — and ran the missing miles so that he could say he did indeed run 26.2 miles.

The source said the fabrication came to NBC's attention after that apparent sub-four-hour finish time — an enviable pace for even an experienced runner — set off alarm bells in many corners, including among other runners in the marathon, and the blogosphere began buzzing about whether such a pace was possible for a big guy like Dane. (Kudos to TVBarn.com, which did a great job of covering the unfolding story with the tart headline, "The Biggest Loser" — or is that "Biggest Liar"? — fabricates account of contestant finishing marathon).

The traditional morning-after conference call with the week's eliminated contestant — in this case, Dane — was abruptly canceled.

NBC has rescheduled the conference call for Monday.

Another source close to "The Biggest Loser" said there was a feeling of sadness because the show "relies on its integrity" in a world where reality programming is often suspect, and this person hoped this didn't overshadow Dane's accomplishments. "Dane is such a nice guy," the source said.

It was unclear what, if anything, will happen to the field producer.

In the meantime, what do you think about this development? Does this hurt the show's credibility?

— Rene Lynch

Photo credit: NBC Universal

Comments

[Chic Runner]

I do this this hurts the shows sparkling past. Even if Dane did compete the rest, who does this?! I would want to do it for my PERSONAL integrity. Too bad the show couldn't get the perfect clip, I'm disappointed Biggest Loser.

[Lani Teshima]

There is a huge thread of comments over at the blog entry at TV Barn, but one really leaps out: It was written by someone who was a participant in the marathon, who was an experienced walker purposefully noting who was passing her on the out-and-back. She spoke to the Patternsons and told them that what they were doing was cheating... she even told the camera crew afterwards, and apparently got the brush-off. Wow. What a way to tarnish an otherwise inspirational show.

[YeaRight]

Just another chapter in NBC's long, long history of deceitful programming. Goes all the way back to Jane Pauley and Stone Phillips BS-ing everyone with "faulty" cars that rolled over, but mysteriously rolled with the aid of some explosive charges on the tires.
Looks like that "Overeager" producer is still working with NBC.

[Ronbo]

You mean reality TV isn't actually real? Like Claude Rains in Casablanca, I'm shocked, shocked!

[Mke Zume]

RL,
The math doesn't seem to work out. At miles the producer realized that Dane wouldn't make it so he drove him 3 miles and left Dane with 6 miles to completely finish the face. What was his total time running? I don't believe that he could have finished the race which in the end is completely "dissing" every other participant in the the marathon, who finished. Hold NBC's feet to the fire.
MikeZ - "thanks for keeping us in the loop"

PS - I walk 13-14 minute miles so all Dane needed to do to finish the marathon within the alloted 6 hours was walk. Please keep us posted.

[Delia]

What credibility? I watch the show, but it has become one drawn out infomercial sponsored by whoever is willing to shell out the big bucks. If marathoners and other observant people hadn't uncovered the lie, I don't think they would have ever tried to apologize or to explain what happened.

As a marathon finisher, I still don't think he can claim to have run a marathon even if he went back and ran the remaining miles the next day. If compounding mileage from multiple days were allowed, I would have "finished" scores of marathons by now. He's shown incredible improvement since the start of the show, but I don't think he can honestly put marathon finisher on his resume.

[Peipster]

I can't believe there are people (who have commented over at TVBarn) who actually think that this Dane guy did nothing wrong and that what he did was inspiring (i.e., running more miles in his life than ever).

[Ryan Taylor]

This show had credibility to begin with? 100 pounds in eight weeks? That number seems abnormally high in such a short period of time. How healthy is that?

[Tony C.]

Dane (and producer) should have stayed on course. Completing the distance even after the cutoff would have been seen as a great accomplishment for the big man. Instead, Dane seemingly buckled under the pressure of NBC's producer. I feel bad that Dane was presented with that decision. I don't believe the dis'ed participants of the marathon feel any better that Dane reportedly went back to complete the other 3 miles.

What would show some gunash is if Dane would go out and re-run the marathon now. I hope you're listening out there Dane. *tc

[Cameron Ross]

My questions are answered!!! I knew that wasn't possible. 3:53 is insane! 5:53 makes more sense. =)

[fit4life]

Dane, should have never participated in the fraud--end of story. You want inspirational-show him running after everything is packed and coming in alone in the dark. There is a showing of true grit and perseverance. Dane knew he did not run the entire race and accepted the finisher's medal. It is a question fo ethics. Agreed as posted above, if you went by the miles I regularly run, I ran several marys!!

As for NBC--come on--you knew he did not run the entire thing. The over eager person--plz--Dane could have said no and actually lloks like he thought he would not make it. The finish time, the clock---plz again. If you knew he could not finish in time, then obviously it was over the 4 hour mark.

It was a fraud. It is an insult to all who train for and run marys--yes, even 7 hour marys--the do it. It is also an insult to America. Do you think people are that dumb? Anyone can do the math. Dane's time would make anyone question the results. NBC, WHERE IS THE APOLOGY ON THE SHOW'S WEBSITE??????

[relam]

This is a very inspirational show. Dane lost 100 lbs. in two months, lets not forget that. In itself that is a monumental feat almost noone could do. Yes, the producers should have mentioned that he had to get to the finish line before it closed and intended to completely finish later, but sometimes in an effort to present the astonishing they forget to cover the small details. Why don't we all just focus on the fact that the results achieved on this show are remarkable and not be too quick to cast the first stone when mistakes are made. Regrettably, we sometimes rush to the negative and forget that true strength is found in the ability to seek out the positive.

[beverly reddick]

please ok he only did 23 of the 26.2 miles , that is great and no one should say any different
i used to do walk a thron 3.5mile is 1 hour there would be no way i could do 1 mile.....

[Mish]

Come on? Are we serious? Who cares if Dane finished the marathon or not? The show is about WEIGHT LOSS. He has lost the weight. Anything else is gravy. Gravy he shouldn't be eating any more. It is a show created by humans for humans. That in itself is open season for fraud. Applaud the man's efforts and move on. I have a suggestion. Let's blog about the Senate not approving the budget when the country is in crisis. They were quick to give Wall Street billions. However, the average Joe has to eat Ramen noodles by candle lite.

[Amber]

I think it's amazing that he was able to run 20 whatever miles....you should look at it as an amazing feet considering about three months ago he was 130 lbs heavier and there is no way possible that he could have run three miles...

[rachel Delgado]

Come on everybody!
It is entertainment! I am a ethical person, I know right from wrong, I am a grown up and I am not going to let this type of incident get me by "surprise".
If you had a such a high standard and expectation in TV entertainment I think you should convert your family to stick to Mormon programming for the temple.
I really do not give a hoot about who did what , so and so said this and that, just watch the friggin thing and move on!
Pick your battles and instead of getting upset for such a trite issue get pissed at the fact "Arnie" and his "Minions" increased our income tax and hired his "buddies" complements of the taxpayers.

[Karen A]

I have loved the Biggest Loser from the beginning but yes, your integrity is tarnished. What a shame. Your great feat of 130lb loss is diminished by your deception. Please move forward with the honesty and inspiration we saw on the show. Who cares if you took longer than the rest? Sticking it out no matter what would have been great. Don't let the freaks in the media get in your way.

[CatBlue]

Alas, I am not surprised to read this update. At first I was just awestruck that the big man pulled off that time, and then the very next thought was, "Seriously? How the hell did he do that?"

I packed on some weight late last year (I got laid off and indulged in too much in holiday/comfort food). I am in the process of losing it now and I love watching the Biggest Loser. I always found the show inspiring, but that reached new heights this past Tuesday when they stated that Dane ran a sub-4 hour marathon. I was gob-smacked! I am a veteran of 19 marathons and even at my fastest and most fit my PR was a 4:15 in London and a 4:29 in Philadelphia.

As a runner, and someone who enjoys the show, I am really disappointed that the producer took him off the course, and that he accepted. I agree with everyone here that it would have been better for him to finish in the dark, walking and even after the official 6-hour cut-off. I think Dane would do well to look up the story of Zoe Koplowitz:

http://www.guardianangels.org/pdf/129.pdf

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/online-community/personal-stories/zoe-koplowitz/index.aspx

She is 55, has diabetes, MS, and carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists from using crutches during her marathons. She has completed 17 marathons (15 of those in NYC) and takes over a day to finish. One of her longest finishing times was 33 hours! But she goes all day and through the night, with just short periods of rest. When she finishes the next day, there are always people who show up to cheer her across the finish line. Now that's inspiring.

[Angela]

Look on the bright side...there are lots of contestants who have NOT lied about their accomplishments. Bernie Salazar from Season 5 finished the Chicago Marathon less than a year after he left to be on the Biggest Loser. He finished in an impressive time of 4:15. I am his trainer her in Chicago and he kicked my butt : )

[Rob Edwards]

Meh, who cares?

Give the guy some credit, don't lose your mind because they made the show inspirational by staging 1 shot.
Big Deal.

The dude lost 130 Pounds and ran all of the miles, just not in the way it was shown, and not in the official time.

i ask all of you who are leaving negative comments to ask yourselves - could you even walk 26 miles?

Please.