The 36th annual New Bedford Half Marathon will likely host a record number of runners this year, and first time half-marathoner Sydney Patten is psyched.

The 23-year-old Patten says she was inspired by family and other runners to take part in the 13.1 mile race this year, and tells WBSM News it's something of a rite of passage for her.

Patten says she's been training for a few months, and her furthest run took her fifteen miles. She adds she's now in the best shape of her life, and hopes to keep it up.

The half marathon gets underway at 11am Sunday morning, and can be heard live on WBSM.

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