'Biggest Loser' contestant Dane Patterson to run actual marathon
A couple of weeks ago, there was a lot of furor over The Biggest Loser contestant Dane Patterson (pictured at right with his cousin, Blaine Cotter, left) -- in his makeover moment at the end of the show, he was shown running a marathon with his wife, but he hadn't completed the distance, and his time was misstated by producers in a caption. He didn't help matters much when he said he wouldn't give back his finisher's medal.
But he's aiming to address these issues: He'll be competing in the 2009 Country Music Marathon in Nashville on April 25, according to a news release.
In addition, according to the release:
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.
Runners can go to www.cmmarathon.com and sign up to "Run With Dane."
Will this help him recover from all the drama? What do you think?
(Photo courtesy of NBC)
Comments
This is only an issue because people choose to believe there's actual reality in "reality" TV and were offended to discover some feats are misrepresented because
reality TV is entertainment and not gospel truth.
As someone who runs marathons, when I found out the people at the RnR Arizona marathon disqualified Patterson so he has no official finishing time nor is he recognized as a finisher it was the end of the story, regardless of whether or not he keeps the finisher's medal. Most of my running friends feel the same way.
Posted by: brstevens | March 16, 2009 2:15 PM
It doesn't matter if he runs another marathon! We've never thought he COULDN'T do it .. it's the fact that the show LIED about it .. then Dane LIED about it as well. Great - fantastic - he's going to prove to the world that he can run in a marathon. What's he going to do to bring back his personal integrity? how is the show going to redeem itself to the viewers who lost hope?
Unfortunately - many viewers do see reality tv as REAL. The producers of such shows take advantage of that fact and LIE to viewers on a weekly basis. And with a show as inspirational as the Biggest Loser it becomes a real issue - because people battling obesity their whole life do see the show as their last chance of getting healthy. They DO take what is said on the show as gospel - they often bet their life on it.
So to me the issue will always be about THE LIE - because so many people in their weight loss battle lost hope and faith in the show at that moment. What they saw as a true inspiration became tainted - and they're left wondering what else the show producers are lieing to them about. Did the 300 pound guy really complete the challenge? Do they really lose 10 - 20 pounds of weight in 1 week? What can they believe in now?
Posted by: Willo Keays | March 16, 2009 4:07 PM
If anyone hinges their hopes on what a reality show presents, they need a reality check; no pun intended. Sitting and watching television for inspiration to lose weight is just a little oxymoronic, don't you think. There is nothing inspiring about reality TV in general. Specifically, you cannot look to a TV show to help inspire you into doing what you should do in the first place. That's like expecting an alcoholic to get 'inspired' to quit drinking because of what he sees happening on cops, or because someone on TV is successful because they don't drink. We cannot all continuously take responsibility for each others' failings and shortcomings.
Posted by: smrtypants | March 16, 2009 10:45 PM
I do not care if he ever attempts or finishes an ultra marathon. Dane lied. Dane cheated and to make matters worse, he is "proud" of the medal he got for cheating hsa no intention of returning it. It is offensive that he particpated in the fraud; particulalry since hse is a father. Nice lesson to his son; cheat; tell everyone you did it anyway; accept the accolades and award and IF you get caught, keep the award anyway. Nice lesson
Posted by: Trainhard | March 18, 2009 1:24 PM