The Amazing Race 1 (originally broadcast under the name The Amazing Race) is the first season of the American reality television series, The Amazing Race. It debuted on September 5, 2001, on CBS and ended its run on December 13, 2001. It featured eleven teams of two as they competed in a race around the world. Lawyers and best friends Rob Frisbee and Brennan Swain were the winners, while separated parents Frank and Margarita Mesa finished in second place, and life partners Joe Baldassare and Bill Bartek finished in third. Production In December 2000, CBS announced that it was set to produce a new reality show entitled CBS Summer Global Adventure Series, which would feature eight teams of two traveling to eleven international locations to win US$1 million. Location scouting for the race course took place in January 2001. The first season of The Amazing Race traveled in 39 days, spanning four continents and nine countries. The season was hit with multiple filming delays, including an airport strike in Rome and a sandstorm in Tunisia, the latter of which forced teams to begin Leg 6 in Gabès rather than the original Saharan desert pit stop. The top of the World Trade Center was considered as the finish location for the season but was changed to Flushing Meadows Park after production was unable to secure needed permits. Multiple aspects of filming were unique to the first season of the series. Host Phil Keoghan handed out clues at the beginning of some legs and only greeted the last-place team at each pit stop; all other teams were greeted and informed of their placements by local representatives. Each leg's pit stop mat featured a localized design, while subsequent seasons have used a single design. The Amazing Race was designed so that the final three teams would all reach the finish line. However, Joe & Bill were so far behind that they could not catch up and did not finish the competition. They were still completing Leg 12 in Alaska while Rob & Brennan and Frank & Margarita were crossing the finish line in New York City. Cast Eleven teams participated in the first season of The Amazing Race. Future appearances Kevin & Drew made an appearance in The Amazing Race: Family Edition, handing out clues from a hot dog stand in New York City. Kevin & Drew and Joe & Bill returned for