The Selma Times-Journal

Thelma Haynes doesn’t think she could have proved much more to herself by finishing – much less winning – the Mercedes Marathon this past Sunday in Birmingham.

Her goal was to compete, and she feels she did that.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was 8-years-old as a little girl,” Haynes said. “It was like my dream came true, even though I didn’t finish because it was too cold.”

Haynes, 42, said she didn’t tell too many people she was going to run because she didn’t want too much pressure put on her. Some of her family members still don’t know.

She runs in her spare time and has spent the last three years eating healthier and getting herself into better shape.

Now that she’s had a taste of marathon running, her goal is to go back and finish one – once the weather heats up, of course.

“I just wanted to see how far I could go,” Haynes said. I look forward to getting into another one when it gets hot. I expect to win next time. I mainly do this for the exercise because I love to run.”