Students help principal finish marathon

TROY, Mich., April 19 (UPI) -- A Michigan principal whose Boston Marathon run was interrupted by the bombing was able to cross a finish line days later with the help of her students.

Pam Mathers, 62, principal of Hamilton Elementary School in Troy, said she was 25.79 miles into the 26.2-mile marathon when the bombs went off and prevented her from finishing the race Monday, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

However, Mathers was able to cross a strip of blue paper marked "2013 Boston Marathon" and was handed a plastic medal by her students Wednesday in the school's library.

"Boys and girls, you are a beautiful sight to see," she said. "Now, to be home, to be safe, and to see all of your faces is just such an inspiration to me, that you know what, I may not have gotten the medal, but boy I have gotten many, many rewards from you, and thank you. You -- all of you -- are my medal."

Students and teachers said they were happy to help Mathers.

"I'm so proud of Dr. Mathers, and I'm so happy that she's safe," said fourth-grader Nicolette Simmons, 9. "I was pretty sad because I knew that she worked so hard for it, and I knew she wanted to finish so badly. So I'm happy she could finish here."