In the old days -- way back in the last millennium -- John Mortimer and his friends organized a one-mile road race and gathered some elite runners for a fun competition.

Today, the Millennium Mile has grown into so much more.

The eighth annual event, to be held Sunday in Londonderry at 2 p.m., has drawn hundreds of kids and inspired them to exercise or indulge in competitive running.

Millennium Mile 8, sponsored by The New Hampshire Union Leader, is expected to draw another 500 or 600 participants on the mostly downhill course that ends near Mack's Apples.

It might be the only road race that gives prizes for every winner ages 12 and under. Victoria Kelly of Londonderry put herself into the record book as a 3-year-old by finishing the course at 11 minutes, 54 seconds. A year later, she set the bar for 4-year-olds at 10:27.

For one afternoon of the year, nobody gets kids away from TV and video games like Mortimer, a Londonderry High grad and seven-time All-American at Michigan.

"The very first year we did this, it was about having fun for some elite runners and for a millennium party we were having," Mortimer said. "Then it took on a life of its own. The second year, we really noticed more kids and families getting involved.

"It's a manageable distance for kids on their first race, and it's downhill. Parents end up saying, �Wow, even I could do that.' "

Along the way, participants can rub elbows with some of the world's most accomplished runners.

Deena Kastor, currently the nation's top-ranked marathon runner, jogged with a group of kids two years ago. Kastor won this year's London Marathon and is considered one of the top U.S. distance runners of all time.

Last year, professionals Amy Mortimer (no relation to John), Katie McGregor and Kevin Sullivan all signed autographs and provided inspiration to younger runners.

Three kids broke course records that day, including 12-year-old Jonathan Bouchard of Manchester, who ran a sub-5-minute mile. Juliane Donohue of Amherst ran the fastest-ever race among 7-year-olds at 7:18.

On the last calendar day of 2001, Nicole Slane of Milford motored to a third-place finish (4:58) and drew specific praise from John Mortimer at the award ceremony. She was only 12 years old.

"I certainly wasn't that fast when I was 12," he said.

Awards have kept coming for Slane, currently a senior at Milford High. As a sophomore, she won the 3,200-meter event at the Meet of Champions and has been honored as one of the state's top runners every season.

Registration is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Jack and June Mortimer Memorial College Scholarship Fund, named in honor of John's parents.

The 2005 scholarship recipient was Casey Darasz, a Pinkerton of Derry graduate and student at Keene State College. Darasz was a captain of the Pinkerton girls' cross country and track teams.

Manchester Central alumnus Alexander Hall, a freshman runner at Dartmouth, was this year's scholarship winner. As a senior in high school, Hall was the 800-meter New England champion. He plans to jog the course on Sunday and enjoy the festivities.

"The Millennium Mile always draws some great competition, but when I think about it, it's more of a fun event," Hall said. "One year, the race director ran in a snowman outfit. Another time, people were running as reindeer."

Some of the top runners participating this year include Spencer Hunter, an All-American at the University of Kentucky. The 26-year-old professional owns a third-place finish at the U.S. Indoor Championships for 1,500 meters.

Also lacing up the sneakers will be Brendan Mahoney, perhaps the all-time greatest runner at Georgia Tech. Mahoney, a six-time ACC champion, has posted a sub-4-minute mile on a track surface and looks to chase the Millennium Mile's course record.

Scott Anderson (1999) and co-director Andy Downin (2001) share the men's course record of 3:51, and Amy Mortimer set the women's record at 4:20 last year.

The weather forecast once again looks mostly clear and snow-free for the race. It's not too late to pre-register at www.millenniummile.com. The first 300 runners will receive a winter running hat -- sure to be popular with the kids on Sunday.

"It's a great way for a lot of kids to get into the sport," John Mortimer, the MM6 champion, said. "When that starting gun goes off and the kids feel the adrenaline, that can lead someone to becoming the next Olympian."