Friday, April 23, 2004 DEDHAM -- About 20,000 people are expected in town Sunday for an afternoon of running, literature and camaraderie.

Headlining the day is the 21st annual James Joyce Ramble. The 10K race features readings of various Joyce works by actors dressed in period garb at mile markers along the 6.2-mile course.

Martin Hanley, managing director of the road race, said he expects more than 3,000 runners this year. It starts at 11 a.m. at the Endicott Estate on East Street.

Many of those participating also ran in Monday's Boston Marathon, he said.

There's going to be a lot of people who didn't run as well as they wanted in the Marathon because of the heat (reaching 85 degrees during the race Monday)," Hanley said.

While Marathoners are still "all tuned-up and tweaked," the Ramble offers a second chance for racing success, Hanley said, and with likely more comfortable weather than the Boston race this year.

"The Ramble is more of a fun time for them," he said. "They can socialize and tell war stories of what happened on their individual Marathon."

Prior to the James Joyce Ramble will be another literary-themed sporting event: the sixth annual North Star Children's Ramble.

Children ages 4 to 12 can participate in age-specific events, such as a 50-yard dash, and tie into Dedham author Peter Reynold's book, "The North Star."

There will also be a coloring contest sponsored by the Blue Bunny, and the winner will receive a copy of Reynold's book. All participants in the North Star Children's Ramble will receive a goodie bag and a Candlewick Press book.

Topping off the day is the "Take a Walk" fund-raiser, dedicated in the memory of Janice Stanley, a longtime employee of Dedham Savings Bank and a Dana-Farber cancer patient for two years. This weekend marks the ninth anniversary of her death and also what would have been her 62nd birthday.

Her son Bob Stanley said the walk aims to raise $10,000 annually. The 4.5-mile walk follows the same route as the James Joyce Ramble, minus the Riverdale section, and finishes back at the Endicott Estate.

There will be a raffle and up to $5,000 of prizes available to participants.

The minimum contribution for the walk is $5, and no sponsors are necessary. The walk starts minutes after Ramble runners take off.

For the North Star Children's Ramble, registration begins at 8:45 a.m. Sunday.

The James Joyce Ramble takes registration forms up to minutes before the start. Preregistration is $20, and those waiting to sign up Sunday must pay $25.

Hanley said he is still looking for volunteers. About 300 volunteers are needed for the day, he said.