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Hayden Kristianson and Aaron Crumbaugh are a team of Dating Actors on The Amazing Race 6.

Though they were one of the physically strongest teams of the season, the two found themselves stymied by constant arguments, as well as Hayden's repeated nagging. After a difficult leg in China brought about by the language barrier, they were ultimately eliminated in 4th place after taking a penalty for quitting the Roadblock. At the Pit Stop, Aaron proposed to Hayden, who accepted. They are the first team to get engaged during the race.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Hayden & Aaron live together in Los Angeles, California. About eight months ago, they saw each other for the first time at a Mexican restaurant. They describe this encounter as fate and love at first sight. Aaron chased Hayden down in the parking lot in hopes of not leaving without asking for a date. Their first date was the next day, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Although they have known each other for only a few months, they feel like they are soulmates and share a lot in common, such as competitiveness, athleticism, sensitivity and, most importantly, closeness with their respective families. However, their personalities differ, as Hayden is more direct and loud while Aaron is more laid back.

They both come from athletic backgrounds. Hayden received a track scholarship to the University of New Mexico, and Aaron was All-American for volleyball at Michigan State University. Their natural ambition and competitiveness is not only their primary reason for going on the Race, it is one of the reasons they think that they are going to win.

Hayden & Aaron are both models and are trying to pursue acting careers in Los Angeles. They feel that THE AMAZING RACE will bring them closer together as a couple and maybe help take their relationship to the next level.[1]

How would you describe your previous travel experience?

  • Hayden: My travel has been limited to the entire United States, Mexico and Canada. I have had other opportunities to go to Europe, New Zealand and Australia, but because of my fear of flying, I wouldn't go.
  • Aaron: My previous travel experience has been limited to the US, Canada and Mexico. But I've been on cross-country road trips several times with my friends and Hayden. I love to travel and can't wait for the Race.

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?

  • Hayden: To me, the most stressful aspect is the flying.
  • Aaron: For me, the most stressful part of traveling is when I don't have control of the situation, like a delayed flight or an incompetent cab driver.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?

  • Hayden: I wanted to be on the Race to explore places that I have never been and to test my own personal limits. I want to overcome personal fears and to see how Aaron and I do in stressful situations together. I'd also like to find out whether we're truly compatible.
  • Aaron: I have two reasons for being on THE AMAZING RACE. First is the opportunity to travel the world and have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The second and most important is to take part in this adventure with Hayden; there was no one else I want to do this with.

Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?

  • Hayden: Aaron and I have traveled, but we've been dating less than a year, so it has been mostly road trips to Arizona and Washington state, where I was born and raised.
  • Aaron: Hayden and I haven't really traveled that much together, except a couple times we made the drive from LA to Phoenix. When we received the news that we made it on the Race, we drove from LA to Hayden's parents' house in Chewelah, Washington with both of are dogs. It was definitely a nice warm-up.

What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?

  • Hayden: I am deathly afraid of heights. This is something that started when I was a little girl, so I'm a little worried!
  • Aaron: The only thing that I fear is hearing Phil saying, "Hayden and Aaron, you're the last Team to arrive."

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

  • Hayden: I'm very competitive and determined, and I'm a good athlete. I give it my best in competition, and I think of myself as a good leader. I can get emotional, and I have a short fuse at times and can be controlling. I'm also terrible at reading maps and navigating.
  • Aaron: My biggest strengths are my competitive nature, my athletic ability and my instincts when it comes to making the right decision. My weakness, if it really is a weakness, is my laid-back behavior.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?

  • Hayden: Aaron is an incredible athlete and has a great sense of direction. He's also extremely calm and keeps a cool head in stressful situations, something I need to work on! Aaron's weakness could be his tendency to be very mellow and not get aggressive when he needs to be.
  • Aaron: Hayden is more competitive then I am, which can be a strength and a weakness. She's also extremely athletic and intelligent. Her biggest weakness is her temper: she can go from 0-60 in less than a second. But I love that sometimes!

What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?

  • Hayden: I am crazy about my dog. My friends think I'm a little weird because I treat her like she's my child. I just love her! I will also miss my family. I call home daily and talk to my parents, who live in Washington state.
  • Aaron: The two things that I'll miss most are my Lab, Morgan, and Sportcenter. Sorry, Mom and Dad!

What languages do you speak?

  • Hayden: I studied Spanish in high school and college, so you could say I used to be semi-fluent, but I haven't practiced much since I graduated! That's the only other language I'm familiar with.
  • Aaron: I speak 14 languages. Just kidding! I speak one: good old English. We are so screwed!

What destination are you hoping to visit?

  • Hayden: I really want to go to Africa and see some wildlife. I love Animal Planet, and I used to be addicted to watching anything that involved lions, cheetahs, elephants, etc. I've always wanted to see them up close.
  • Aaron: I've always wanted to go to Ireland and drink a pint of Guinness. But wherever we go, I'm sure it will be amazing.

What country do you feel best prepared for?

  • Hayden: I really don't know if you could say I'm "prepared" for any particular country. I suppose if we go to Australia I could be fairly prepared, because my eldest brother lived abroad there, and my whole family has traveled to Australia and they love it, so I'm somewhat familiar with it from my family's experiences visiting there.
  • Aaron: With my limited travel experience, I'll have to say the country I'm most prepared for will be the beginning and ending country. I hope we make it that far.[2]

The Amazing Race 6[]

Race History[]

Hayden & Aaron's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → Iceland Ice Climb / Ice Search No Roadblock 1 of 11
2 2 Iceland → Norway Endurance / Accuracy Aaron 4 of 10
3 3 Norway → Sweden Count It / Build It Aaron 1 of 9
4 4 Sweden → Senegal Stack 'Em Up / Pull 'Em Up Hayden 4 of 8
5 5 Senegal → Germany Beers / Brats Hayden 3 of 8
6 6 Germany → Hungary Catapult Crash / Cannonball Run Hayden 4 of 7 [1]
8 Swim / Paddle Aaron 4 of 7
9 7 Hungary → France Climb Up / Fly Behind Aaron 6 of 6
10 8 France → Ethiopia Raise the Roof / Mud the Hut Hayden 1 of 6
11 9 Ethiopia → Sri Lanka Tree Trunks / Elephant Trunks Aaron 2 of 5
12 10 Sri Lanka → China Bricks / Ice Aaron 1 of 4
13 11 China Spray / Scroll Hayden 4 of 4 [2]
Average 2.81
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 6 was a double-length leg, with two Detours and two Roadblocks, shown over two episodes. The placement listed in the top row reflect the order teams arrived at the leg's halfway point.
2: Hayden & Aaron initially arrived 3rd, just ahead of Adam & Rebecca, but were issued a 4-hour penalty for quitting the Roadblock. Both Rebecca and Hayden almost had to quit the Roadblock because the last gondola down the mountain was about to leave; however, Rebecca opened her lock and successfully completed the Roadblock just before the last gondola departed. Adam & Rebecca checked in during the penalty time, thereby dropping Hayden & Aaron to last place; which resulted in their elimination.

Post-Race[]

  • On April 21, 2007, Hayden & Aaron married. Kris & Jon attended the ceremony, while Kristy Jensen served as a bridesmaid.[3]
    • They have two children, Kaiya Rachel and Cash. Kaiya survived from a birth defect.
    • They have since divorced.
  • Aaron is now a chef and started the Wagyu Wagon, a gourmet food truck in Chicago[4].
  • In 2014, Aaron competed on Season 4, Episode 12 of Cutthroat Kitchen and finished in 2nd.

Trivia[]

Franchise Records[]

  • Hayden & Aaron are the first team to be penalized for finishing last on a Non-Elimination Leg and win the following leg.
  • Aaron was the first person to ever propose (to which Hayden accepted) during the race.
  • First team to evolve their relationship during the show.
  • First co-ed team to finish in 4th place.

External links[]

Interviews[]

  • Harry Smith on The Early Show (02/09/2005): "Freddy, Kendra Out-Race Others"
  • Ethan Alter at TV Guide Online (02/18/2005): "Race Duo Swears Off 'Baby' Talk"
  • Chris Book & Colleen Harris at Reality Reel Media (02/22/2005): "Interview with Hayden and Aaron from The Amazing Race 6"
  • Unknown Source (February 2005): "Interview with Hayden & Aaron"
  • Carrie at Reality Shack (Spring 2005): "Interview with Hayden Kristianson from The Amazing Race 6"

Social Media Profiles[]


References[]

The Amazing Race 6 Teams
 Adam & Rebecca
Formerly Dating
S6 AdamRebecca
 Avi & Joe
High School Buddies
S6 AviJoe
 Don & Mary Jean
Grandparents
S6 DonMaryJean
 Freddy & Kendra
Engaged Models
S6 FreddyKendra
 Gus & Hera
Father/Daughter
S6 GusHera
 Hayden & Aaron
Dating Actors
S6 HaydenAaron
 Jonathan & Victoria
Married Entrepreneurs
S6 JonathanVictoria
 Kris & Jon
Dating Long-Distance
S6 KrisJon
 Lena & Kristy
Sisters
S6 LenaKristy
 Lori & Bolo
Married Pro Wrestlers
S6 LoriBolo
 Meredith & Maria
Best Friends
S6 MeredithMaria
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