<P> Starting with season 9 of the U.S. version and recent seasons of most foreign versions feature a challenge which tests the contestants on their time spent during the race, such as the locations they visited and / or how well they know their partner . Such task usually appears as the second - to - last or last challenge . Such a challenge is usually a "Route Info" task, but it sometimes appears as a "Roadblock" task . </P> <P> During seasons 25, 26 four teams begin racing in the final leg, but at some point during the leg one of the four teams was eliminated from the race . </P> <P> All teams must abide by the rules set at the beginning of the race . Failure to do so can result in time penalties, which can negatively affect finishing position in that leg of the race . In a non-elimination leg, if the last team to arrive at the mat is checked in before a previous team has completed its penalty, then the remainder of the penalty time will be waited out at the start of the next leg of the race, beginning at the departure time of the next - to - last team . </P> <P> While the complete set of official rules has not been released to the public, certain rules have been revealed during the various editions of the race: </P>

Do the second and third place teams win anything on amazing race