A Wisconsin couple who appeared on the reality-TV show The Amazing Race outlasted 10 other couples to claim top honours and a $1 million (Dh3.67 million) grand prize. On their way to victory, Madison\'s Dave and Rachel Brown raced across five continents, nine countries and 22 cities. The show pits 11 two-person teams against each other in a trek around the world in which they must overcome a series of physical and mental obstacles. Some of this season\'s challenges required strategic thinking and the ability to read terrain, which proved to be an advantage to Army veteran Dave Brown. The former helicopter pilot has a background in military intelligence. \"This is definitely my element,\" he remarked when he and his wife boarded a helicopter. Other challenges included scaling a 45-storey building and rappelling back down, and paddling across a pond while standing on a surf board. The couple agreed that after being kept apart by Dave\'s Army deployment and Rachel\'s frequent travel for her software company job, being able to spend time together was one of the best parts of competing. \"Just being with each other 24-7 was awesome,\" Dave said.