TOP Scottish road runner Adam Craig is the latest star name to sign up to run in all three of the Babcock 10k Series races in May.

Craig, 23, from the Inverclyde club, heads an entry of more than 500 runners so far for the series, which starts in Helensburgh on May 9 and continues in Dumbarton on May 16 and Glasgow on May 26.

Fresh from representing Scotland in Saturday’s Simply Health Great Scottish Winter Run in Stirling, Craig will be shooting for course and series records in each race.

He finished a close fourth on Saturday in the first leg of the international mixed 4x1500-metre relay, finishing just a yard or two behind talented fellow Scot Jamie Williamson, who was representing GB, demonstrating an impressive turn of speed over the shorter distance.

The previous weekend he had pushed Sol Sweeney, training partner of Laura Muir, who also featured in Saturday's race, all the way to a big personal best in the Scottish 3000-metre championships, at the Emirates Arena, ducking under eight minutes for the first time and chopping an impressive 12 seconds off his best time.

Craig has demonstrated his versatility on a range of surfaces this season and over a range of distances.

After three successful years competing on the American collegiate circuit for Mount Olive University, he returned in fine style in November to run a big personal best in winning the UK’s biggest 10k race, the Abbey Dash in Leeds. On the day he ran 29.08, a time over a minute inside the Babcock 10k Series record of 30.10, currently held by Shettleston’s Wayney Ghebresilassie from 2017.

On that occasion he led home more than 10,000 runners, whilst Babcock Women’s Series record holder Fionnuala Ross, from Shettleston, triumphed in the women’s race in 33.30.

She is expected to line up again in this year’s series.

Ross was chased home in Leeds by Elspeth Curran of Kilbarchan in 34.17. Curran was runner up in each of the Babcock races last year.

Craig was also second in the recent Scottish 4km Cross Country Championships and is hoping to duck under the qualifying time for March’s European Indoor Championships in Glasgow and be selected for the GB team.

Whether you are an aspiring international or simply running for fun, the Babcock 10k Series offers a great experience. Every finisher receives a unique commemorative medal at each race, plus a goody bag containing a different Start Fitness running accessory at each event.

Series entrants receive a specially designed More Mile technical T-shirt, whilst all Dumbarton finishers will receive a centenary T-shirt in the red and black colours of the host club.

AG Barr will be on hand to supply plentiful supplies of Strathmore Water to refresh and rehydrate the runners.

Watch out for the training programme, prepared by last year’s women’s champion, Katie White from Garscube Harriers.

Entries are open at entrycentral.com and further information is available at babcock10kseries.co.uk