July 22, 2009

Bob rocks the half marathon

Posted: 10:42 AM ET

Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

The race is over, and the dust from the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon has settled. It was a rocking great time in Northern California this weekend as I competed in the run as the honorary chairman for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Bob and his lady after the big race.

I met so many great people from the foundation it made my head spin. The pasta party on Saturday night before the race was awesome, too. I MC'd the event, and met so many people that are battling the diseases and still running that I felt not worthy to even be there.

These people are tough in the truest sense, fighting through pain and still completing the half marathon! Every individual that I had the pleasure to meet had a great story behind them: why they ran and why they felt they had to compete in the race.

They raised over 2.4 million dollars for the fight against Crohn's and Colitis for the half marathon alone! If you want to contribute, please do so here.

The foundation is looking for participants in December's Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas half marathon now. Check out CCFA.ORG to sign up for that.

I won't be running anytime soon, I think I am done for a while. I just need a break from the time commitment it takes to train for a half marathon. My wife and I needed to find baby sitters just so we could do our long runs. She, btw, kicked butt. She's a gamer and had a great time on the trail.

We ran through vineyards, farms, and ultimately ended up on the Sonoma Square. It was great.

I was just humbled and honored to help raise awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and want to thank them for letting me be involved with the race. It was the bomb crossing that finish line with the bright orange Team Challenge jersey to a roaring crowd.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Extras • Sports

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Fred Cabral

July 22nd, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Hey Bob,
So great to meet you and Ally this past weekend. Saw you on the tube this morning after my 6:30am yoga class, trying to work out the soreness! You looked fresh as a daisy and none the worse for wear. I, on the other hand, had to come to work today without make-up and wardrobe help, so I'm hiding in my office. I'm going to be the walking coach for the NYC team for Las Vegas. How's that for an Old Crohnie? I look forward to seeing you both in Vegas in a few months and please give my best to Ally and thanks for all your help with CCFA!!
All my best,
Fred

Erin Grantham

July 22nd, 2009 12:16 pm ET

Bob,

You were absolutely amazing through this whole thing with the blogs and plugging CCFA. You were a great MC who was very geniune. I enjoyed meeting you and your wife at the pasta dinner- it was so awesome that you took a moment to talk about Jersey, my dad ( who has colitis) and pause for a picture. My dad ended up surprising me at the finish line and was so impressed by everything everyone did for CCFA. Thanks again and enjoy your break- you earned it!

Erin Grantham
Lawrenceville, GA

Tiffany W

July 22nd, 2009 12:57 pm ET

So proud of you and Ali! Congrats!

Kathryn, Lloyd, Gretchen, and Jon Brinker

July 23rd, 2009 3:02 am ET

Robin, you were a true vision of loveliness this morning !! "HLN" and "Morning Express" are so very fortunate to not only have you for the beautiful person which you are inside and out, but also you being the respected and dedicated journalist in your field of many !! Remember: just who did our President George H. W. Bush choose to celebrate his 85th birthday with a skydive!! Congratulations to our Bobby and his wife for their completing the Californian half
marathon !! Welcome back, Bobby, to "Morning Express" (where you belong) !! You were missed by all !! Bobby, your wife is a real beauty and trooper–your children are very blessed to have you both as loving parents !! Thank-you for posting your blog and including us in your experiences with encountering the inspiring individuals you met at the event !! Give praise to all who are afflicted with some sort of form of the Crohn's and colitis diseases, but managed to find both the strength and determination needed to have participated in this very worthy cause !! May God bless them !! We are so elated to learn that over 2.4 million dollars was raised for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America by this race alone . . . and we hope and pray that both the work and research will continue to improve for all those ailing from these little-known diseases. Bobby, you should be very proud of your accomplishments as honorary chairman; we are sure that many acknowledged your time and efforts with this function !! Welcome home, Bobby !! Have a great Thursday, Robin; we love ya, Ohio girl . . . Robin's Follies !!!!

THE ROCKET

July 27th, 2009 8:36 am ET

AWESOME..GREAT GUY

Joannie inTX

August 3rd, 2009 4:00 am ET

Congrats to you both on your commitment and success with your race, one more great cause....Thank you for all that you do!

oink oink! Hello to the HLN Crew.

Kevin in Florida

August 7th, 2009 11:47 am ET

Hey Bob, You should be proud, that's no small accomplishment! Have to say, love your weather and air travel reports in the morning. You, Robin, Jennifer, Rafer, and Richard make a great team. Keep up the good work!

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