In any case, the days of excuses are over. Sami says that it takes strength and smarts and sheer determination to be The Biggest Loser, and tonight they're going to need all three just to get in the game. Yes, it's the first challenge! And the team that comes in last won't make it to campus. Everyone is much chagrined at this news. Sami explains the three-phase challenge. Phase 1: One of the team members will run a 40-yard dash. The first four teams to finish are automatically in, and will get to go directly to the gates. The six remaining teams will enter Phase 2, which shall be explained momentarily. The teams select the Phase 1 runners, amidst much whispering. The first four finishers in order are: the Blue Team, Orange Team, Brown Team, and Yellow Teams. Poor Mark of the Gray Team took a hard fall, and is attended to by Dr. Huizenga and the medics. It must not be anything serious, though, since no stretchers are involved.

The remaining six teams move on to Phase 2, which Sami explains is a 40-yard dash with a twist. This time, there will be a puzzle in the center of the course. They have to bring pieces one at a time from the puzzle barrel to the puzzle stand. When they think their puzzle is complete, they must run back to the barrel and press a button. They will then learn if in fact their puzzles are correct, and can complete the race. The first four teams to finish the dash with their puzzles completed make it on campus, and the remaining two will move to Phase 3. The participants in this phase are the team members who did not dash in Phase 1. We take a moment to learn about Green Team member Conda, who is a single mom to an adorable daughter, and wants to be around to make her life better. Phase 2 begins, and it looks exhausting and kind of dumb. Why must barrels be involved, I ask you? Chism, the young kid, is totally a puzzle savant. He finishes way before everyone else and crosses the finish line. The Gray Team is in. The Red Team finishes next, meaning that Santa and Mrs. Claus are in! The Purple Team is next to finish, and then it comes down to a foot race between the Green and Pink teams. Conda wins it, to the great happiness of her brother Jeremy. Poor Pink Emily is pretty bummed, and her stranger teammate doesn't even know her well enough to offer any comforting words. She just kind of shrugs and gives a look that says, "Wish I had been paired with a smarter stranger!"