Hamilton Elementary School students help their Principal Pam Mathers make it across the "Boston Marathon" finish line.

Four minutes away.

That's how close Hamilton Elementary School principal Pam Mathers was to the explosions Monday at the Boston Marathon. The twin blasts killed three people and injured more than 170.

"I was 25.79 miles into the race when I heard it, but didn't know what had happened," said Mathers, who was competing in the iconic race.

The devastation left her numb, sad and angry.

But Mathers, 62, of Bloomfield Hills, who completed the Toronto Marathon in 2009, and the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2011, was all smiles Wednesday when she "completed" the Boston Marathon and crossed an honorary finish line inside the school's media center.

Students lined the room, decorated with bright balloons, cheering and applauding as she received hugs, handshakes and hand slaps along the "route." She sped up and sprinted through the finish line banner while Queen's "We Are the Champions" played in the background.

"Go, Dr. Mathers, go," cheered the students. "Go, Dr. Mathers, go!"

She was handed a bouquet of roses and the coveted medal was placed around her neck. It was not the official Boston Marathon medal, but its sentiment touched parents, students and staff as they captured the moment on cameras.

Mathers appeared deeply touched.

"You are a beautiful sight to see today," she said. "I feel so badly for those who were hurt, but you have given me such inspiration, I'm going to continue to run."

Fourth-grader Ryan Smalley, 10, said he was worried when he learned of the explosions.

"First I was like, 'Is Dr. Mathers OK?' Now we're all just happy she's OK," he said.

His mom, Michelle Smalley of Troy, has been at the finish line with her family when her husband competed in road races.

"It was very emotional watching the coverage and knowing Dr. Mathers was there," she said. "We are shocked that it happened, but are very grateful she's OK."

Fifth-grader Will Hamilton, 11, also expressed relief.

"It means a lot that she was able to finish the race for us," he said. I was really worried, and then my mom told me she was safe in her hotel and I was really happy."

Fourth-grader Nicolette Simmons, 9, described Wednesday's ceremony for Mathers as "awesome."

"She worked so hard for this, and she finally got a chance to finish," she said.