New runner Maria Boothe and her employer, John Cash, will run 13.1 miles at the Tryon Half Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Boothe and Cash will represent “Team Nature’s Storehouse” as they conquer the course that meanders from Harmon Field to River Road and back. Cash has been training Maria since June, teaching her about endurance running, proper nutrition and stretching. Boothe, who ran her first race in May at the PAC Trail 5K, has been training hard and become a running enthusiast. Nature’s Storehouse is one of the many local sponsors of the inaugural event that will donate proceeds to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry.

Realizing the DVD workouts she was doing at home were not enough to keep her focused on fitness, Boothe began running in March of this year. One day at Harmon Field, she met up with Cash, who offered to help her once a week. They began her running routine with a run-walk ratio.

“I remember trying to run for the first time and I couldn’t go more than 20 yards,” said Boothe. “And, now, I’ve got two 10-milers under my belt and am excited about putting a 13.1 sticker on my car on Nov. 17.”