TROY, Mich. -- An elementary school principal from Michigan was just a half mile from crossing the finish line in Boston before she was stopped by a wall of police.

This week her students and colleagues set up a finish line through the school.

Pamela Mathers ran through an arch of students who showered her in high fives as she reached her goal.

"I knew I could, I had been reaching for it. Practiced. Made sure I was ready for it and things happen and so you can be disappointed but you just, you know you get right back up and set a new goal and say I'm going to find a way to meet that goal," said Mathers.

All her students and fellow teachers are very happy she made it home from Boston safely.