Stephen Ott, an Orefield Middle School teacher and assistant track coach, had just finished running his second Boston Marathon when bombs exploded at the finish line April 15.

Ott finished the marathon around 1:30 p.m. but ran another two-and-a-half to three blocks after the finish line to the station where he received his medal.

"The last six miles of the marathon were hard because I pulled a hamstring," he said.

Ott said after 20 to 30 minutes and picking up his gear, he planned to return to the finish line.

"But, I looked over to my left and there was a reflective pool. I wanted to take that picture, so I crossed the street to get the photo," Ott said. "If I would have turned right, I would have been at the site of the second bomb.

"I believe I had someone looking out for me. "I believe it was God."

When the first bomb exploded, Ott said, he could definitely feel it.

"It shook buildings. My first initial thought was a bomb," he said. Then, I told myself 'Don't think negative.' Then the second bomb went off and I knew it was a bomb.

"I quickly got on my phone and called my wife. I told her, 'I am not telling you this to worry you but two bombs went off but I'm OK.'"

While he was on the phone with her, he saw police cars and fire trucks go down the street.

He could see people coming down the side street to get away from Boylston Street.

"I was nervous, so I went to my hotel," Ott said. "I stood outside my hotel, for awhile, which was a block and a half from the finish line, then I went to my room to pack."

From his hotel room window, Ott could see the parking garage and saw people leaving in their cars.

He called to see if he could get his vehicle. He was told he could, so he got it and left.

"As I was leaving Boston, I saw more police cars coming into the city," Ott said.

His wife, daughter, son, mother, father and his wife, sister, best friend and girlfriend, with her daughter, went with him when he ran his first Boston Marathon two years ago.

"I am glad they were not there and I only had to worry about my safety," he said. "I am thankful I experienced this and not them."

Following the bombings and before Ott's status was known, The Press contacted Parkland School District Superintendent Richard Sniscak.

"Steve finished the race, safely, prior to the tragedy, and is at home today with his family," Sniscak emailed. "Naturally, we are happy Steve and his family are safe and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims."

Sniscak said he learned about Ott's safe return home from Orefield Middle School Principal Todd Gombos.

Ott told The Press he arrived back home in Macungie around midnight the day of the bombings.

"It was a long ride home and I had a lot of anxiety with all that was going on," Ott said. "I definitely had a lot of nervousness and anxiety when I first realized what happened."

When Ott returned home, his wife gave him a kiss and he went up to his daughter and son's rooms and gave them a kiss.

Ott is very grateful for all the family and friends who reached out to support him and his wife.

Ott said students, staff and friends were relieved when he returned to work Wednesday at the middle school.

"Lots of hugs," he said. "I even got some applause at our faculty meeting Wednesday morning after Mr. Gombos said it was good to have me back home safe from Boston.

"I am thankful God watched out for me that day."

He is also thankful for the first responders who responded to help the injured.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people who were injured and the families who lost loved ones," Ott said. "What I went through is nothing compared to what they are going through.

"I hope investigators are able to find out if there are other terrorists connected to the attack and what the motivation was," Ott said. "I hope they get more information out of him [Dzhokhar Tsarnaev] about other possible terrorists to prevent future terrorist attacks."

Ott, who has been running for 12 years, started running to lose weight.

"I did not set out to run marathons," Ott said. "Someone convinced me to run a half marathon; then I thought what else is there."

Ott was asked if he would ever run another Boston Marathon.

"If I say no, then the terrorists win," he said. "So, I would have to yes. I will run in future Boston Marathons, if I qualify."

According to the criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause filed 6:47 p.m. April 21 in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts by FBI Special Agent Daniel R. Genck, three people were killed and more than 200 people where injured when brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev allegedly set off two bombs April 15 at the Boston Marathon.

The criminal complaint states Tamerlan Tsarnaev was severely injured after a gun fight ensued between the brothers and law enforcement officers.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev managed to escape. Tamerlan Tsarnaev later died at a hospital from his injuries.

On the evening of April 19, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who had injuries to his head, neck, hand and legs was taken into custody after he was located in a covered boat in Watertown, Mass.

According to the criminal complaint, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is being charged with use of a weapon of mass destruction and malicious destruction of property resulting in death.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, "will not be treated as an enemy combatant" but would be prosecuted "through our civilian system of justice," White House spokesman Jay Carney said April 22. "Under U.S. law, United States citizens cannot be tried in military commissions."

A federal magistrate judge went to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center April 22 for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's initial court appearance in his hospital room.

According to a court representative, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's initial appearance does not constitute an arraignment.