Bransen Family

Walter "Wally" Bransen, Elizabeth "Beth" Bransen, Lauren Bransen, and Lindsay Bransen are a team of Dad and Daughters on The Amazing Race: Family Edition.

Although the Bransen Family struggled early on as Wally could not keep apace with his daughters, they eventually emerged as one of the strongest teams of the season. With rivalries brewing between the other families, the Bransens opted to stay neutral and instead focus on the race, allowing them to make it to the final three. They headed into the final Roadblock just minutes behind the leading Linz Family, but could not make up the small deficit, eventually finishing in a mere 2nd place.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

The Bransen family team, from Park Ridge, Illinois, is made up of a father and his three daughters, who once appeared together in a Pert Shampoo commercial several years ago.

Walter, 51, the self-proclaimed leader of the group, has been married for 31 years. He works as a CFO and is a native of Chicago. The proud dad of five children, Walter describes himself as being reserved and analytical. He is also a history buff in regards to anything about Abraham Lincoln and belongs to the Abraham Lincoln Association.

Elizabeth, 25, is the oldest daughter. She recently obtained a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois. Elizabeth describes herself as personable and trustworthy and has a fear of heights. She and Walter have similar personalities and sometimes their stubbornness can cause friction between the two.

Lauren, 22, recently earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Business Management from Hope College. Punctual and adaptable, Lauren admits she can be impatient.

Lindsay, 20, is the youngest of the sisters. Currently, she's enrolled at Hope College, also majoring in Social Work. Lindsay complains that her older sisters are always telling her what to do.

The Bransens are well-traveled and eager to compete as a family for the chance to win the $1 million prize.^[1]

The Amazing Race: Family Edition[]

Race History[]

The Bransen Family's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	New York → New Jersey → Pennsylvania	Build It / Buggy It	No Roadblock	7 of 10
2	2	Pennsylvania → District of Columbia → Virginia	Heat of the Battle / Heat of the Night	Wally	6 of 9
3	3	Virginia → South Carolina → Alabama	Forrest Gump / Muddy Waters	Beth & Lindsay	1 of 8
4	4	Alabama → Mississippi → Louisiana	Work / Play	Lauren	1 of 7
5	5	Louisiana → Panama	Rhythm / Coos	Beth	3 of 6
6	6	Panama → Costa Rica	Relic / Ripe	Lauren	3 of 6
7	7	Costa Rica → Arizona	Brush / Barrel	Wally	5 of 5
7	8	Arizona	Bearing / Bailing	Lauren	4 of 5
8	9	Arizona → Utah	Ride Down / Drop Down	Lindsay	2 of 4
9	10	Utah → Wyoming → Montana	Spike It / Steam It	Beth & Lauren	1 of 4	^[1]
10	10	Utah → Wyoming → Montana	Pioneer Spirit / Native Tradition	Wally & Beth	1 of 4	^[1]
11	11	Montana → Canada → New York	Slide It / Roll It	Beth	1 of 3	^[2]
11	11	Montana → Canada → New York	Ship / Shoe	Wally	2 of 3	^[2]
				Average	3.18
Legend: The team finished in first place The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg The team that won The Amazing Race The team that crossed the Finish Line second The team that crossed the Finish Line third ► The team used the Fast Forward pass > The team used the Yield < Recipient of the Yield
Notes: 1: Leg 10 was a double-length leg, with two Detours and two Roadblocks, and shown over two episodes. The placement listed in the top row reflect the order teams arrived at the leg's halfway point. 2: Leg 11 was a double-length leg, with two Detours and two Roadblocks. The placements listed in the top row reflect the order teams picked up a charter flight to a mystery destination at Olympic Stadium, the leg's halfway point. This leg was shown over a single two-hour episode.

Post-Race[]

Each sister has since married and all three have children.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Trivia[]

The Bransen Family, alongside the Weaver Family, are the first parent-child to qualify for the final leg and subsequently cross the Finish Line.

External links[]

Interviews[]

Harry Smith on The Early Show (12/14/2005): "Linzes Land $1M 'Race' Prize"
Rob at RRF Radio (12/20/2005): "Wally Bransen Interview - Reality TV Podcast #30"^[5]