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‘Biggest Loser’s’ Dane in a run for redemption

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Ever hear of the Country Music Marathon?

Exactly.

Organizers have seized upon a ‘Biggest Loser’ controversy to promote their race on April 25 in Nashville: They announced that Dane Patterson will be at the starting line in a run for ‘redemption.’

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Patterson was a fierce competitor and a front-runner for the Season 7 title when fellow contestants seized an opportunity to oust him. In the traditional epilogue to each eliminaton ceremony, Patterson said he was continuing to work out at home and was shown crossing the finish line of a marathon in what looked like 3 hours and 53 minutes, and wearing a finisher’s medal. It was later revealed that he hitched a ride closer to the end so that he’d make the six-hour cutoff for the race — and so a field producer would get a shot of Patterson crossing the finish line. What’s more, the ride from the field producers sent Patterson across the finish line in 5:53 — a broken bulb in the race clock made it look otherwise.

Some in the running community said Patterson violated etiquette by accepting the finisher’s medal. But Patterson said he would not return it: He said he earned it because he went back later in the day and ran the entire stretch of road that he’d missed because of the ride.

Highlights from the press release for the Country Music Marathon race:

Patterson hopes running the marathon will be a personal milestone and public redemption to prove he can complete the full race. He is welcoming runners to sign up to “Run with Dane” as he challenges himself to the 26.2 mile course on Saturday, April 25th in Nashville, TN. Patterson, who is 27, had planned on running another marathon in April to show that he can complete a race. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity and encourage others runners to come out and join me on the course,” says Patterson.

— Rene Lynch

Photo credit: NBC Universal

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