Dieter makes it home

After a 120-mile ride and run, exhausted MTV star is happy to see the finish line -- wherever it may be.Right on time, Dieter Schmitz came charging up the last hill of his 120-mile bike ride and run from Tijuana to Laguna Beach, greeted by the welcoming cheers of more than 350 supporters.

The event marked the end of a yearlong journey, as he traveled the country to raise money for his charity, Running Home 4 Teens, which Schmitz -- one of the cast members of MTV’s “Laguna Beach: The Real O.C.” -- established to prevent teen suicide.

Dripping with sweat, the bare-chested Schmitz collapsed on the lawn of the United Methodist Church.

Dan Reidenberg, director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), one of the beneficiaries of the event, gathered the crowd around a microphone.

“A 14-year-old girl from Ohio e-mailed us last week and said that she is alive today because of Dieter,” Reidenberg said.

Reidenberg presented Schmitz with a plaque with the Running Home 4 Teens image and Vince Lombardi’s words etched into it: “It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever -- the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.”

After thanking fellow cast members, friends and family, Schmitz presented SAVE with a check for $42,000.

“Thanks for coming out, let’s go party,” Schmitz said. “Who wants to do it next year, because I’m out.”

“Dieter, you’re hot!” shouted a fan.

The finish line activities moved inside the church’s facilities, where fans had an opportunity to meet and greet the TV stars.

“This is the coolest thing anyone our age has done,” said Kristin Brown, 18, of Riverside.

“He’s using the show to help a cause,” said 18-year-old Andrea Scheuer of San Diego.

“This is pretty tight; it’s cool to see people living their normal lives,” said Brandon Matson, 18, of Torrance.

Despite being disappointed a week earlier when the school district rejected their application to host the event on the school field, Reidenberg was satisfied with the event.

“We may have had more people if it were at the high school,” he said. “I think the district sent the wrong message to the public, to take a positive event and ruin it with a small thing.”

According to Schmitz, the run itself was grueling, though relatively problem-free.

After suffering from cramps during last year’s run, Schmitz learned the lessons of being properly prepared and put time in with a trainer to handle the 50 extra miles of this year’s event.

Schmitz was accompanied by his trainer, who enforced scheduled breaks and a prescribed pace.

Schmitz believed he would not have completed the event without the motivation of the people he met while campaigning around the country.

The runner also listened to motivational songs on his iPod that were hand-picked from fans visiting his website.

On replay throughout his trek was Eminem’s “Til I Collapse.”

Coming into the finish line, it was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

The finish line event will be the subject of the last chapter of a book Dieter is writing; profits will go to preventing teen suicide.

Dieter plans to return to the MTV reality show for a third season. He will also resume his coursework as a student at San Diego State. 20051223irvbzjncPHOTOS BY KENT TREPTOW / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Dieter Schmitz holds up a $42,000 check after completing his charitable trek at United Methodist Church on Sunday night. He had wanted to end up at the high school, but officials denied him that opportunity. 20051223irvbzqnc(LA)Dieter Schmitz crosses the finish line at United Methodist Church after completing a 120-mile bike ride and run on Sunday night.