In the end, engaged couple Ernie Halvorsen and Cindy Chiang came out victorious, crossing the finish line at Atlanta’s historic Swan House to take home the $1 million prize.

Ernie and Cindy’s win was a bit surprising as the couple had spent most of the season being stuck in second place. Front runners, Jeremy Cline and Sandy Draghi, who actually started the race in first place ended up coming in second.

Jeremy and Sandy lost their lead in the competition when their clue instructed them to head to a residence once known as “The Dump.” Failing to do their own research, the duo simply relied on a guy in a truck who sent them to the wrong location — a furniture store called “The Dump.”  On the other hand, Ernie and Cindy found the right location when they arrived at “The Dump” — an apartment in which “Gone with the Wind” was written.

Project manager Ernie, 29, and his fiancée Cindy, 30, a brand manager, won the competition following a journey that took them through 40,000 miles, four continents, 10 countries and 20 cities.

“This has been the best premarital counseling that you could ever get,” said Cindy following the win. “I can’t think of anything better in life than to have a husband that could be so supportive and caring even when I’m at my low.”

The couple revealed they plan on using the $1 million prize to start a charity to help those in need around the world. Former NFL player Marcus Pollard and his wife Amani came in third.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE AMAZING RACE FINALE & SEASON? DID ERNIE AND CINDY DESERVE TO WIN?

The new season of the Amazing Race marks a decade of entertainment from the CBS series, so expect to see lots of new twists and turns.

The nineteenth season is highlighted by a cast headed up by former Survivor winners Jenna Morasca and cancer survivor Ethan Zohn. Joining them are a retired NFL player, Olympic snowboarders, a set of twins, the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world, and, of course, a pair of former Vegas showgirls…just to name a few.

This year’s race around the world will span four continents, twenty cities, and almost 40,000 miles of global travel. The eleven teams will start their trek in Southern California before heading to Taiwan. Thailand, Denmark, Malawi, and Indonesia will be other destinations for those fortunate enough to survive elimination.

This season, hosted by Phil Keoghan, also boasts a new “Hazard” penalty and the first ever double elimination. The new season of Amazing Race premieres Sunday, September 25, on CBS. Meet the teams below!

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE THE TEAMS!

Ethan Zohn, 37, “change maker” and Jenna Morasca, 30, TV host/student
Dating couple/former Survivor winners from New York City

Bill Alden, 63, farmer/rancher, and Cathi Alden, 62, college instructor/retired principal
Married for forty years/grandparents from Albany, Oregon

Ernie Halvorsen, 29, project manager, and Cindy Chiang, 30, brand manager
Engaged couple from Chicago, Illinois

Jeremy Cline, 35, commercial real estate broker, and Sandy Draghi, 33, nurse practitioner
Dating couple from California

Amani Pollard, 36, business owner, and Marcus Pollard, 39, retired NFL player/football coach
Spouses from Pine Mountain, Georgia

Ron Zeitz, 44, and Bill Smith, 49, both flight attendants
Domestic partners from Laguna Niguel, California

Kaylani Paliotta, 33, and Lisa Tilly, 32, both cocktail waitresses
Friends and former showgirls from Las Vegas, Nevada

Laurence Sunderland, 48, yacht manager, Zac Sunderland, 19, record-setting sailor
Father and son from Thousand Oaks, California

Andy Finch, 30 and Tommy Czeschin, 32, both professional snowboarders
Friends and former Olympic snowboarders from California

Liz Canavan, marketing assistant, and Marie Canavan, “soul searcher,” both 24
Twins from Deerfield, Illinois

Justin Young, doctor, 31, and Jennifer Young, special education teacher, 26
Siblings from Stone Mountain, Georgia

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW TEAMS? WHO DO YOU PREDICT WILL WIN THIS SEASON’S AMAZING RACE?