Bob Van Dillen, meteorologist on “Morning Express with Robin Meade,” can usually be found providing HLN’s early-morning weather forecast. This past weekend, he provided support to one of the causes he regularly champions: finding a cure for serious digestive diseases and disorders. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation held its Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon Sunday, and Van Dillen was on hand for the event. Over the last few months, Van Dillen sat as honorary chairman of the charity’s marathon training program, which was covered by the Napa Valley Register:
“I’m just honored to represent the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation,” Van Dillen wrote. “There are 1.4 million Americans with the diseases, and participating in this event is a way I can help the foundation in its mission to fund critical research and find better therapies—and ultimately, a cure. Those people that will run with the diseases on Sunday are heroes.”
The event appears to have been a great success and has helped further a worthy cause affecting over a million Americans. Today, Van Dillen told TVNewser about his experience:
“The course was beautiful! It was cool in the morning, but warmed up really quick. The Crohn’s and Colitis racers all rocked it hard; I tried to congratulate all of them that I saw, 550 people! It was inspiring to watch them cross the finish line knowing how much physical pain they were in. I was just honored to be out there with them.”
Here’s a photo of Van Dillen and his wife, Ali, at the event over the weekend.