Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen completes Boston Marathon

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen ran the Boston Marathon Monday thanks to a sponsorship exemption from Adidas.

Adidas called Mullen last year and said it could get him into the race without qualifying. He is using the race raise money for his family’s Mullen 36 Foundation, which helps kids in Mississippi with a focus on education, scholarship, the arts, athletics, and healthcare.

Mullen completed the 26.2-mile course in 04:28:35, an average of just over 10 minutes per mile. 

HE DID IT! @CoachDanMullen has finished the 120th @bostonmarathon! Never a doubt. #HailState #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/kY3OYrFzNe

— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) April 18, 2016

VIDEO | @CoachDanMullen crosses the finish line in the 120th @bostonmarathon to make his dream a reality! #HailStatehttps://t.co/sFtEZmhsEM

— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) April 18, 2016

Mullen’s wife, Megan, was there to cheer him on.

Dan is halfway there and doing great! Just caught up with him around mile 15 @bostonmarathon. -Megan Mullen #26for36 pic.twitter.com/TtzGXKDZZh

— Dan Mullen™ (@CoachDanMullen) April 18, 2016

So proud of my most extraordinary husband! pic.twitter.com/BeV1ve5VpY

— Dan Mullen™ (@CoachDanMullen) April 18, 2016

As were some Mississippi State alums.

Looking good, @CoachDanMullen !!! #HailState #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/4j2Wctjqy0

— MSU Alumni of Boston (@Boston_Bulldogs) April 18, 2016

The race was a homecoming of sorts for Mullen, who went to high school in Manchester, New Hampshire, about 70 miles north of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the official start of the Boston Marathon.

For more Mississippi State news, visit BulldogBlitz.com.

Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook