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

[sandra]

Several years ago, my sister trained her hiney off to run a marathon. Her "run" is slower than my walk, she came in dead last. The marathon started in the am and it was dark by the time she finished! Officials actually kept driving by and checking on her to see if she was going to finish. They waited for her at the finish line to present her with her meda. THAT'S how you show determination! THAT'S inspirational!

[Shane Marashi]

This is such BS! NBC should air a public apology and that coward of a field producer should give it. How could NBC claim they didn't know? They knew! Sorry Dane, I ran a marathon, one of the hardest things I've ever done. It doesn't count when you get long breaks in between. You're a liar too if you actually believe you ran a marathon.

[Dennis]

i kind of find it ridiculous that people can bash this guy. I am sorry but even if he was assisted for 3 miles the man still ran 23 miles. That number is amazing and to anyone who think not is completely crazy. Here is a man who loses all this weight and runs this much in such a short period of time. To me that alone is incredible, and I think Dane deserves to be acknowledged alone for that. He wasn't on the show to prove to anyone that he can run a marathon he was there to change his life and the way he looked.

[Yaya]

Give me a break. Who really cares about this bs? So he made a bad decision - we are all guilty of that. Did anyone happen to see the woman on the pink team hit the hanging button for the 100th time seemingly just a few moments after the girl on the purple team beat her but then a few minutes later see the counter actually read somewhere in the 50's when they were gathering around to talk to Alison about the results? Looks like they fixed that for the viewers as well. Where's the outrage on that? Everyone needs to realize that TV is for entertainment and stop letting the small stuff get them all worked up. Do you really have nothing better to do? Go volunteer at a shelter or something.

[Sydney Butler]

Big deal! He is still doing a great job and working on his own. So he inspired alot of people. Give the guy a break!

[Kati]

As a loyal fan of the biggest loser this is just another dissappointing blow to add to this season. The changes this season and this deceiving act just makes it more and more clear that the producers of the biggest losers are forgetting the really meaning of the show"TO HELP PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR LIFE" . This seasons changes have done nothing but add ridiculous amounts of drama and make the Biggest Loser more and more like all other pathetic reality show. The producers need to stop tearing the floor out from underneath the contestants and go back to the original beliefs. STOP worrying about ratings the Biggest Loser has a huge fan following . They watch the show to change their lives not to sit down and watch drama if they wanted drama they would watch a soap opera. This season really makes myself and my family will continue to watch the biggest loser if they continue on this downward spiral . That would be very dissapointing

[oldfashioned75]

I say just get over it. He still accomplished what millions of people aren't even trying to do. Did you watch him this season he is one of the most laid back humble people they've even had on the show and I do believe he felt bad and went back to run it again. Leave the poor guy alone.

[will4gvn]

This is the first time I have ever taken the time to comment on something on the internet. That is how pissed I am! My wife and I love to watch the show, but when I saw the time posted I called BS quickly. I am a plus sized individual but have spent the last several months training for a marathon and finished my first one a few weeks ago. I know just how tough it is to finish and any dummy could tell he wasn't in the shape necessary to finish a marathon. I'm calling BS on the "3 mile" thing too. I agree with many of the comments I've been reading about product placement and such. How convenient to have your brita water bottle, dannon yogurt, green giant microwavable veggies, subway sandwiches, and extra sugar free gum readily available all of the time in between the commercials of Chris Brown shaking his butt all over the screen. Producers are killing the show and selling out!!!!

[T2009]

This is sad considering the shows popularity. This show like other reality shows is turning into a joke! In real life a person can't workout 8+ hours a day to lose that amount of weight so the show is showing us false hopes. When a massively obess person can't lose that much weight in that amount of time discouragement sets in and sets the person up for failure. I think what Dane did was wrong and should never have been aired!!!!

[twinkle]

Dane should not have participated in the illlusion that he finished the marathon. He lied on camera saying he finished it. He was probably put under pressure but it is stupid in the first place. The fact that he finished as much of it as he did was commendable. Now, his accomplishment is tarnished. He might as well have quit altogether when he took the ride. What makes me mad about it is that they really thought they could pull it off and they secret coming out is the only reason NBC or anyone else confessed. Save your apology NBC. Now the focus is on blaming the field producer, someone has to take the fall , right? Pressure was probably on that person also.

[A Teacher in GA]

I am really upset by this I am a LOYAL fan who drops everything on Tuesdays at 8 when the show airs. I question how healthy the weight loss actually is (dropping so much so fast-but if I didnt work and only worked out with Jillian and Bob pushing me I would DROP some lbs. fast). But I am really upset with all involved in this "prank better yet CHEATING/LYING" (lets call it what it really is) of Dane running the marathon "with his wife". He was so upset that he ran it later well if I steal something can I go pay for it later and it be ok? He should have never accepted the metal at the end and talked about how proud he was. He should not be allowed to compete for the money prize at the end of the show either. If someone cheated at the ranch would they be kicked out or just allowed to keep competing? This bothers me. I agree that had people not blogged about this then he would not have apologized and NBC would not have been put on the spot.

[twinkle]

What makes me question the show's credibility is that we would have never known the truth if others didn't insist it wasn't possible. NBC would never have done the right thing and told on themselves. They are only sorry they were caught. I am disappointed in Dane for participating in the scheme. What about his wife standing there smiling like he was her hero? Obviously , he is not of strong character. I can only imagine his embarassment.

[Marathon Runner]

I have completed three marathons, SLOWLY. In one of the marathons, the cut-off time was six hours and scores were stopped at six and a half hours. However, I didn't quit or jump in a van: I ran/walked/hobbled/sobbed to the FINISH LINE where although I didn't get an official finish time, I did get a finisher's medal and the personal satisfaction of knowing that I finished. There were several people behind me still walking and undoubtedly they felt the same way.

What Dane accomplished in terms of fitness and weight loss is absolutely phenomenal but the spirit of the marathoner is to FINISH at all costs, even if that means after the roads are closed and after the official curfew. I echo the sentiments of disappointment above in both NBC and in the contestant.

[Sherri]

R U Kidding me? He ran 23 miles! Who cares if he didn't finish the race. 23 miles folks! I work 23 miles away from home and can't even fathom running it! I applaude Dane and it absolutely will not stop me from watching BL.

[H.Mason]

As a three-time (soon to be four-time!) marathoner, I am dismayed that the "perfect shot" had to be Dane crossing the finish line during the 6-hour limit. Although I am glad Dane went back to finish, I have far more respect for the hundreds of folks who press on past the time limits, never getting finisher medals as they finish 6, 7, 8 or more hours afterwards. These folks might not have the "perfect shot" finish, but they have something much more important... their integrity and pride. Shame on Hollywood for cheating Dane and others out of the genuine strength and experience of the marathon.

[Heather]

So, he ran 17 miles, then was driven 3 miles, before running 6 miles to finish? And he finished with a time of 3 hours and 53 minutes. He claims that he couldn't have finished in six hours? Are you telling me that those three miles that he rode in a car would have taken him 2 hours and 7 minutes to do? Yeah, right. His credibility is gone.

[Brad Armstrong]

When I watched Dane running the marathon, the first time I saw was 5:53.
At the pace he was running, it looked like he was running at a 5:53 effort.
Then amazingly another clip came on showing he finished in 3:53, 2 hours faster.
I made a comment to my wife saying it would be virtually impossible for him
to have run 3:53(under 9 min./mile pace) for 26 miles based on both his weight
and the "shuffle" pace he was running at.
It's unfortunate that someone who did an outstanding job of following a regimented
weight reduction program would take credit initially for completing a marathon when
in reality he didn't. Memories of Rosie Ruiz catching a ride to the finish of the Boston
Marathon, and then jogging the last "100 yards to victory" came to mind.

[avalanche]

okay the guy shouldnt have accepted the medal but come on I have seen so many people cheat over the years does it make the news? Does every person judge them? Everyone on here can't say they are perfect. neither can I. But cut this guy some slack before the show all he did was sit around!!! Now he is trying to lose weight! No wonder this guy cheated everybody was waiting at the finish line to judge him!!!!!!

[Jessica]

After reading this article, I realized that the end of the rerun of this episode was playing right now on the Fine Living Channel. I saw the original, but turned it on just now and I caught the last 5 minutes again.... they had already edited out the scene of them "finishing" the race and made no mention of the marathon! That was fast!

[redhead_ks]

I am sure the contestants are all compensated and feel obligated to do what a producer tells them to do. While even Blane admits that it was wrong, he probably didn't feel he had a choice at the time.

A second marathon run, unassisted, would go a long way toward proving that he knows what's right, even if NBC doesn't.