In the beginning, The Union Leader Millennium Mile
was all about speed. The first finisher recorded the first sub-4-minute
mile ever run in New Hampshire.
“I got thrilled getting an elite field together
to run real fast times. That was cool,” said John Mortimer, both a race
organizer and speedy runner. “But now the best thing I like about the
race is watching families running together.”
At the fifth annual Millennium Mile in
Londonderry, set for Dec. 28 at 2 p.m., elite runners will chase the 3:51
course record, while recreational runners of all ages, sizes and shapes
will run for fun and fellowship while raising money for college
scholarships.
“The race is a great way to get youngsters,
families and first-time runners exposed to the sport,” said Mortimer
last night. “It’s a downhill course and it is a manageable distance,
so people shouldn’t get too tired or frustrated.”
The elevation drops about 100 feet on the
point-to-point course, which runs south down Mammoth Road from the
starting line near Londonderry High School to the finish line just past
Mack’s Apples.
More than 250 runners, ages 4-78 are already
pre-registered, with another 250 expected to register on race day. The
registration fee is $10 for adults and $2 for children. Every registrant
receives a packet filled with running product giveaways. And there are
plenty of post-race munchies.
Everyone runs the same course at the same time.
Kids and kids-at-heart toe the starting line with Olympic-caliber runners.
Finish times extend from around 4 minutes to upwards of 20.
“What I like watching even more than the fast
runners are families running along together, just enjoying themselves and
the race,” said Mortimer.
Race proceeds fund a Millennium Mile Scholarship
Fund awarded to New Hampshire high school seniors looking to run cross
country or compete in track and field at college.
“We three race organizers were fortunate enough
to receive scholarships for collge and had great experiences running for
our schools. The least we can do is try and help provide that to another
person,” said Mortimer, a former Londonderry High and University of
Michigan All-American who now coaches runners at Boston College.
He and the Downin brothers, Matt and Andy,
created the race as a precursor to a millennium New Year’s Eve party
they hosted in 1999. Many All-Americans were on the guest list.
Matt Downin won a national high school cross
country championship as a senior at Pinkerton Academy of Derry before
going on to achieve All-America status at Wisconsin.
Andy Downin earned multiple All-America citations
at Georgetown before winning the national 1,500 meters championship in
2001.
“Thanks to some generous sponsors we have 99
percent of the race paid for before the gun goes off. That means more
scholarship money, which is great,” said Mortimer.
