Andy DehnartThe producers of The Biggest Loser have apologized for “misleading” viewers about Dane Patterson competing a marathon, although Dane is keeping his medal and is “proud of” his run.
Last week, TV Barn broke the story that the show and Dane lied about completing a marathon, and NBC has since said it was investigating. The show’s production company, Reveille, released this explanation, statement, and apology:
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 night’s 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.
Although the network and producers have apologized, Dane is unapologetic for pretending he ran a marathon in less than four hours, and is keeping the medal he received. He said this in a statement:
“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.”
Leaving aside for a minute how Dane didn’t seem to mind people thinking he ran across the finish line in under four hours, the race results show that seven people finished after the six hour mark, meaning that the finish line did not close, so his excuse is pretty thin.
In a conference call with reporters that was rescheduled for today after being cancelled last Thursday, he said, according to the L.A. Times, that “It was kind of embarrassing actually. It wasn’t true. It looked bad.” Still, he says he’s keeping his medal–“The medal was given. I would not give that back. I’m proud of it”–and said, “I was proud that I accomplished what I accomplished. … In my mind I ran the full 26 miles.”
Well, yes, asshole, it was only in your mind. Because people who complete marathons and get medals don’t just jump in a car or take a break during the most difficult part of the race. The whole point is that you run/walk that distance continuously.