Another Contestant Makes a Trip to the Hospital Next Week on "Fat March"  8/8/07

GIANT BLISTERS, DRAMATIC PERSONAL CONFLICTS AND ANOTHER TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL MARK THE CONTINUING SAGA OF ABC'S NEW REALITY SERIES, "FAT MARCH," MONDAY, AUGUST 13

Episode 102 -- It's a daily struggle to walk. Having labored to march 65 miles in the first stage of the competition, our contestants face huge blisters, tremendous physical aches and pains, and mounting personality conflicts as they journey across the state of Connecticut from Willimantic to New Haven, on "Fat March," MONDAY, AUGUST 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Chantal has ostracized herself from the group and is in jeopardy of being voted off, and Anthony and Will have developed a heated rivalry. Our walkers face the daunting test of confronting comfort foods when pizza and chicken fingers are added to their dinner options, and the tough days of walking are taking a tremendous physical toll on each of them. A water challenge in Waterford State Park in Waterford, Connecticut, tests the stamina and strength of the men, who must hold large 16 gallon tanks with rope handles, while the women race back and forth to a river to fill up the men's containers.

One marcher faints and is taken to the hospital, and another dramatic weigh-in at the end of stage two reveals amazing weight loss for many others. Tough decisions face the remaining marchers as they decide whether or not to vote off any of the competitors or whether they can make it themselves, since every time someone drops out or is voted out they all will lose $10,000.

The five remaining female contestants are:

Chantal, 35, 5'2", 250 pounds, comedian -- A student who resides in Brookline, Massachusetts. She dreams of one day owning a pair of slim designer jeans. Weight lost after stage one: 4 lbs.

Jami Lyn, 30, 5'9", 226 pounds, military wife -- A housewife who resides in Daleville, Alabama. She is the mother of three children and finds it difficult to be so much larger than her husband and the only big person in the family. Weight lost after stage one: 5 lbs.

Loralie, 30, 5'3", 233 pounds, wants to have a baby -- A marketing resources expert who resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She's married and dreams of starting a big family, but her doctor demands that she lose weight before having children. Weight lost after stage one: 5 lbs.

Shea, 27, 5'7", 280 pounds, former college softball player -- A make-up/special effects artist who resides in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. She is embarrassed that she is the biggest person in the make-up trailer, and her parents are worried about how her weight is affecting her health. Weight lost after stage one: 9 lbs.

Wendy, 40, 5'6", 234 pounds, professional singer -- A bookkeeper who resides in La Cañada, California. She is married with a six-year-old step-daughter and wants to return to the stage as a singer and songwriter, but needs to lose weight first. Weight lost after stage one: 15 lbs.

The five remaining male competitors are:

Anthony, 25, 6'3", 410 pounds, 25-year-old virgin - He is unemployed and resides in Addison, Illinois. He is determined not to let his being overweight kill him. Weight lost after stage one: 10 lbs.

Matt, 37, 6'3", 386 pounds, professional wrestler -- He resides in Cincinnati, Ohio and is married with two children. He was released from pro wrestling in the U.S. last year when officials felt he was too heavy and it wasn't safe for him to compete. He must lose weight to return to his career. Weight lost after stage one: 6 lbs.

Michael, 41, 6'2 1/2", 330 pounds, baseball coach - A lab technician who resides in Elwood, Illinois. He is married with two children and has tried every diet from A to Z. Weight lost after stage one: 15 lbs.

Sam, 22, 5'9", 371 pounds, certified massage therapist - He resides in Everett, Massachusetts, is single and believes that his weight has kept him from being hired. Weight lost after stage one: 16 lbs.

Will, 26, 6'2", 470 pounds, competitive eater -- He works in retail and resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is single with no children and would like to inspire others to lose weight and get in shape. Weight lost after stage one: 19 lbs.

"Fat March" is an epic, life-changing journey that began at the starting line of the Boston Marathon with 12 participants, and will end in Washington, D.C. The contestants and their two charismatic fitness trainers, Steve Pfiester and Lorrie Henry, will walk over 570 miles, passing through nine states, with the goal of shedding unwanted pounds and getting fit along the way in an attempt to permanently alter their lives. In addition, they all will compete for a prize pool of $1.2 million. Stressing team work, the more people who finish, the more money each person wins.

Executive producer is Nick Emmerson. Co-executive producers are Julie Laughlin and Kirsty Robson. The production company is Ricochet (producers of "Supernanny"). "Fat March" is based on the British series, "Too Big to Walk."

"Fat March" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Source: ABC Press Release