The final four contestants go home to reunite with family and friends, and learn that when they return to the ranch, they'll face their toughest challenge yet - running a full (26.2 mile) marathon. It's a daunting challenge, but cheering them along the way will be some familiar faces from the previous season -- season seven winner Helen Phillips and finalists Tara Costa and Mike Morelli, plus a surprise visitor to cheer Rudy on. Later, it's the very last "last chance workouts" with trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels before a final weigh in determines who the two definite finalists will be - and which two contestants fall below the dreaded yellow line, leaving America to vote which one will be the third finalist to compete for the grand prize of $250,000.

In the most recent episode that aired on December 1, Danny Cahill and Rudy Pauls weighed in above the yellow line, securing their spots as two of the three finalists. Amanda Arlauskas and Liz Young fell below the yellow line, leaving America to choose between them to determine the third place finalist competing alongside Danny and Rudy for the $250,000 grand prize.

It is the heaviest cast ever when season nine kicks off with twenty two contestants - eleven family teams of two - coming to The Biggest Loser ranch hoping to transform their bodies, their health and ultimately, their lives. The new season players include Maria and Michael, an Italian mother-son duo who have always put others first while Michael's weight soared to 526 lbs., identical twins James and John, who together weigh close to half a ton, Tongan cousins Sam and Koli, who hope to inspire others in their culture like Sione and Filipe Fa did in season seven, and Cherita, a competitive mother who has already beat cancer and is ready to take on obesity along with her determined daughter, Vicky. Before coming to the ranch, all of the contestants have to weigh in - but for the first time ever, it will be in their hometowns in front of friends, families and neighbors. Then they arrive on campus and are faced with a strenuous bike challenge their first day - and a shocking surprise from host Alison Sweeney.