Jack Mortimer was a big guy who played football at Drexel University, but it didn't take long for him to appreciate the sport of running.

His son, John, became one of the state's all-time great distance runners, leaving his mark at Londonderry High and the University of Michigan.

For the past seven years, father and son were among the organizers for the popular Millennium Mile road race, held today in Londonderry at 2 p.m. Race-day registration is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and under.

Jack usually worked behind the scenes, driving the lead truck or working at the registration table, whatever was needed. Proceeds from the Millennium Mile will go directly to the Jack and June Mortimer Memorial College Scholarship, renamed after Jack's death at age 67 earlier this month.

"He often fulfilled the role of race director when I was away," John Mortimer said. "He was a good man, and he's going to be missed." John lost his mother to cancer in 2004. His father, too, had a long battle with the disease. Both parents used to follow John around the country as his biggest fans.

"My dad, being a college football player, didn't quite understand the sport at first," John said. "He quickly grew to have a true affinity for it. The thing he loved the most is how pure the sport is. No one is there to impede you, and it's about how much you want it." Today runners of all ages and abilities will be zooming down Mammoth Road in Londonderry for the eighth running of the Millennium Mile, sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader.

A look back at some all-time highlights in honor of Jack Mortimer:

Millennium Mile 7: Amy Mortimer, no relation to the Mortimers of Londonderry, passed four men wearing reindeer antlers and set the women's course record at 4 minutes, 20 seconds. Mortimer, a bronze medalist in the U.S.Outdoor Track and Field Championships, knew she was in for tough competition at the starting line.

"My goal today was to beat the reindeer," she said.

Two-time Olympian Kevin Sullivan of Canada enjoyed his first Millennium experience last year and won the race at 3:53.

MM6: Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor enjoyed a one-mile jaunt with young runners during an event that drew 704 participants, setting a national record for one-mile event. John Mortimer finally won his own race that day with an even 4-minute run.

MM5: The weather has always cooperated through the years, and it was almost 50 degrees on Dec. 28, 2003, as race winner Sean O'Brien clocked 3:56.

MM4: Newcomer Mike DiGennaro of Essex, Mass., won the race by a half-step over Shawn Wallace of Wakefield, Mass., in perhaps the closest finish ever.

Both runners were last-minute entries. Katie McGregor, a U.S. 10K national champion, was among an elite field and set the women's record at 4:27.

MM3: Race co-founder Andy Downin matched the course record at 3:51 and beat out a field consisting of six former Foot Locker national finalists.

MM2: The Downin brothers, Andy and Matt, finished 1-2, and Amy Lyman became the first repeat champion. "This is such a great event. We're hoping it can grow into something bigger," Andy said.

MM1: Six runners broke the 4-minute barrier in the inaugural race, led by Scott Anderson of Washington, D.C., at 3 minutes, 51 seconds. There were 122 participants -- an impressive amount considering John Mortimer began organizing the event only weeks earlier.

Newcomers in today's field will include Spencer Hunter, a former All-American at the University of Kentucky. Hunter owns a third-place finish at the U.S.

Indoor Championships for 1,500 meters. Former Georgia Tech star Brendan Mahoney plans to run the race.

A new "Dash for Cash" bonus has been added this year. The first runner reaching the 1-mile mark will earn $50; first to reach the 1.5-mile earns $75 and the 3-mile winner gets $100. An extra $500 will be paid to anyone breaking the course record.

Contributing sponsors helping make the event possible include Susan and Terry Ragon, The Orthopaedic Center, Derry Family Dentistry, Cigna Healthcare, Rodney Furr, Continental Paving, and Senses Unlimited.