Ready ... set ... go!

CBS announced the 12 teams competing in the 15th season of the 'The Amazing Race,' which premieres Sun., Sept. 27, 8PM ET. Meet the pairs who are vying for the $1 million prize, plus learn the new twists and turns featured on the 'Race' this season ...Ready ... set ... go!

CBS announced the 12 teams competing in the 15th season of the 'The Amazing Race,' which premieres Sun., Sept. 27, 8PM ET.

This 'Race' will be the fastest yet, spanning eight countries over 21 days -- though one team won't even make it past the starting line, thanks to a surprise elimination. And this crop of racers will face the "Switchback," which sends them to the site of one of the series' most infamous Roadblocks.

The diverse cast includes professional poker players, Harlem Globetrotters and a former Miss America. The teams are:


Names: Mika Combs and Canaan Smith
Relationship: Newly dating
Ages: 22; 26
Hometowns: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupations: Aspiring singer; songwriter


Names: Ericka Dunlap and Brian Kleinschmidt
Relationship: Married
Ages: 27
Hometowns: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupations: Miss America 2004; marketing tour manager

Names: Zev Glassenberg and Justin Kanew
Relationship: Friends
Ages: 26; 30
Hometowns: Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupations: Unemployed; VP of Development for National Lampoon

Names: Maria Ho and Tiffany Michelle
Relationship: Friends and competitors
Ages: 26; 25
Hometowns: Arcadia, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupations: Professional poker players

Names: Herbert "Flight Time" Lang and Nathaniel "The Big Easy" Lofton
Relationship: Teammates
Ages: 32; 28
Hometowns: Brinkley, Ark.; New Orleans, La.
Occupations: Harlem Globetrotters

Names: Lance Layne and Keri Morrione
Relationship: Engaged
Ages: 41; 33
Hometowns: Salem, Mass.; Peabody, Mass.
Occupations: Lawyer; finance manager

Names: Marcy Maloy and Ronald Shalita
Relationship: Dating
Ages: 60; 59
Hometowns: San Francisco, Calif.
Occupations: Advertising photographer; stock trader and math tutor

Names: Daniel McMillen and Sam McMillen
Relationship: Brothers
Ages: 21; 23
Hometowns: Liberty, Mo.; Fort Worth, Texas
Occupations: Students

Names: Eric Paskel and Lisa Paskel
Relationship: Married
Ages: 41; 43
Hometowns: Encino, Calif., via Michigan
Occupations: Yoga teachers

Names: Garrett Paul and Jessica Stout
Relationship: Dating on and off
Ages: 28; 27
Hometowns: Aptos, Calif.; Larkspur, Calif.
Occupations: Day trader; freelance editor

Names: Meghan Rickey and Cheyne Whitney
Relationship: Dating
Ages: 23
Hometowns: San Diego, Calif.
Occupations: Account executive; student

Names: Gary Tomljenovich and Matt Tomljenovich
Relationship: Father and son
Ages: 47; 22
Hometowns: Laurel, Mont.; Bozeman, Mont.
Occupations: Construction manager and mortgage banker; student



Which teams look like frontrunners? And which ones might lag behind?