13-year-old Franklin boy makes homemade medal for neighbor who ran Boston Marathon

BOSTON — A Franklin woman was moved to tears when her neighbor left a handmade gift on her front steps Tuesday morning after running her fifth Boston Marathon.

Jamie Tighe and her 18-year-old daughter Ashley ran the historic 26.2-mile race together but when they reached the finish line the BAA was not handing out any more medals.

Jamie shared her entire Marathon story on Facebook and the post inspired one of her 13-year-old neighbors, James, to get crafty and want to give back to Jamie and Ashley.

“James was so upset that I didn’t get a medal, that he decided to make one for me, and left it on my front steps this morning. I am not someone who cries a lot, but this got me. I broke down in tears of happiness that someone would do something so kind for a friend,” says Jamie.

Despite being disappointed Jamie tells Boston 25 News she was grateful to have finished her fifth Marathon even after injuring herself at mile eight and having to separate from her daughter. “Ashley continued to run on, and she ended up finishing strong at 4:39:22,” says Jamie.

From her injury to Ashley’s prom-posal along the route to even a special connection she forged along the way with a young man she was filled with gratitude.

“I was walking and this sweet young man named Michael came up next to me, noticed my Dana-Farber singlet, and said, ‘I didn’t beat cancer to walk the end of the Boston Marathon, and I won’t let you do it either.’

Jamie says he stayed by her side all the way to the finish line.

“But isn’t that what the Boston Marathon is all about? Heartwarming stories of people helping others. It came full circle for me yesterday and today. I have also never been more proud to be Boston Strong,” Jamie shares with Boston 25.

In a response to the medal mishap the BAA responded Tuesday in a statement: “We have begun to reach out to affected athletes, and will ensure medals are provided to finishers as quickly as possible. The B.A.A. congratulates all finishers of this year’s race,” says a BAA spokesperson.

Jamie and Ashley raised over $29,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Congratulations!!

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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