The Biggest Loser Episode 7.18 The Biggest Loser 718

The remaining players were all returning home to see their family and friends. They were nervous about sticking to their diet and exercising while being so far away from the ranch.

Helen, Tara, Mike and Ron each came home to very big celebrations. Having all their loved ones and friends around moved each player to tears. More loud cheers came their way when revealed how much weight they had lost in total since arriving on the ranch.

Now that Mike and Ron were home, they wanted to incorporate what they'd learned into the life of Mike's obese brother, Max. They started their first morning off encouraging Max to join them as they walked the dog.

Tara was nervous if she would have the self-control to hang out with all of her friends in her favorite restaurant, but not be tempted to go back to her old food habits. She asked her friends if they ever saw her as unhappy when she was heavy. They all thought Tara was unhappy when she was heavy, but as friends, were always too scared to bring up her weight.

The next morning, the players were all shocked to see boxes marked "The Biggest Loser" waiting for them on their doorsteps. They knew that inside that box contained a challenge, but were still scared to find out what it was. Inside the box was a DVD announcing their challenge. On their television screen was Ali announcing that the final players had 26 days to train, because they would participating in a full 26.2 mile marathon.

Jillian made the cross-country trip to from California to Michigan to check up on her player, Mike. She was nervous for all of her players -- how they would do back in their old environments where they gained the weight in the first place? Jillian was happy to see Mike working out with his brother Max on the treadmill of the local gym.

Jillian got some alone time with Mike to figure out how he was feeling. He kept talking about Max and Jillian had to remind Mike that he was back home to focus on himself and himself only. She gave Mike words of encouragement: if Max really wanted to get healthy and lose weight, she would be willing to help him all the way. Jillian's next stop was to Long Island to visit Tara and help her cope with being back home.

Bob flew to Michigan to check on his player, Ron. While he was there, he asked Ron to invite Max with them to the gym. While at the gym, Bob gave it his all to push Max into a great workout. Max couldn't believe how tough Bob was and that was a good thing. Ron was happy with all of Max's progress. Bob's next challenge was to work on Max's diet.

Jillian's next stop was to visit Helen at home. Helen broke down in tears when she saw her and this made Jillian concerned. She noticed Helen was so focused on everything at home that she had not given herself a moment to relax. Jillian poured Helen and herself a glass of red wine and encouraged Helen to sit down and play catch-up like old friends.

The players all trained for the marathon with the given 26 days that they had. They returned to California to face the marathon challenge. Ali met them at the starting line, where she went over the details of the marathon route. She also told the final four that each player who completed the marathon would receive $10,000 to donate to their favorite charity.

Mike agreed to walk at his father's pace, so they could complete the marathon together. Meanwhile, Helen and Tara were so happy to see Helen's husband and Tara's friend waiting for them at mile four. By the time Ron and Mike reached the four-mile mark, Max and Ron's friend were waiting for them. Mike knew that if his brother was going to be there for him during the marathon, he would vow to be there for Max after the marathon.

At mile five, Ron had to stop running to get his knee checked out. Dr. H showed up with a medical van. Ron believed that in his mind, he could still complete the 26.2 miles. Meanwhile, mid-way through Tara's marathon, season five winner Ali Vincent joined her on the run while Helen was joined by last season's winner, Michelle.

Season five's Bernie met up with Mike to give him some words of encouragement during the marathon. Bernie just wanted Mike to remember all the accomplishments he's made and to look at this marathon as just one more to add to his list.

Tara only had one more mile to go and she was joined by Jillian. She warned Jillian that she better keep up because nobody was going to stop her. Tara was the first one to cross the finish line. Helen was the second to cross the finish line and couldn't believe she actually did it. After doing a marathon, Helen vowed to never doubt herself again.

Mike crossed the finish line with his brother right by his side. Afterwards, Ali congratulated him, Tara, and Helen for completing all 26.2 miles of their first marathon. Meanwhile, Mike was unsure where his dad was and if he was going to finish.

Ron's knee was really giving him problems, but that didn't stop his determination in wanting to finish the marathon. Ron was joined by Michelle, Ali Vincent, Heba, Bernie, and past at-home winner, Jim G. After a few more miles, Bob joined the group and by the time Ron finished the marathon, he was with a whole crew of people including Max, Ali, Helen, and Tara. Mike became emotional watching his father cross the finish line.

The players all had to return to the ranch for one last weigh-in before the finale. Ali told everyone that the two players who fell below the yellow line could be eliminated. The player with the highest percentage of weight loss would be guaranteed a spot in the finals, and the two remaining players would find out their fate at the hands of America, who would be voting from home.

The players all lost weight while they were home for the 26 days. But, it was Tara who had lost enough weight to guarantee herself a spot in the finals. She said she had never felt so good about something in her entire life. Tara was going to be joined by Helen at the finals, and America would be voting for either Mike or Ron to be the third finalist at the finale.