Entries are flooding in at almost twice the rate of last year for the Babcock 10k Series, according to the organisers, with three months to go until the first race in Helensburgh.

Series chair Kevin Johnson told the Advertiser this week that numbers have already topped 800 – there were just short of 1,800 entries last year and nearly 1,500 finishers.

One of the favourites for this year’s series, Adam Craig from the Inverclyde club, finished as first GB athlete in the Armagh 5k last Thursday in Northern Ireland.

His time of 13 minutes and 45 seconds put him second overall and hacked an impressive 13 seconds off his track personal best.

Kevin said: “Adam is rapidly turning into one of the UK’s most promising middle and long distance runners, following in the footsteps of his more famous counterparts Andrew Butchart, Calum Hawkins and Chris O’Hare.

“Adam has demonstrated his versatility and form on a range of surfaces, performing well on the road, indoor track and over cross-country in recent weeks.

“On current form, claiming a hatful of course records in the Babcock 10k Series should be well within his grasp.”

There is still time to take advantage of the special Valentine’s offer which gives you £5 off any individual race entry, reducing the entry fee from £19.50/£21.50 to £14.50/£16.50, as long as you enter by February 28 at entrycentral.com

Every finisher in each race will receive a unique commemorative medal, a goody bag containing a different Start Fitness running accessory and plenty of Strathmore Water to rehydrate.

Series entries will receive a specially designed More Mile technical T-shirt and all Dumbarton finishers will receive a special Dumbarton AC centenary t-shirt.

Over £6,000 in prizes are on offer for leading individuals and age group winners, plus dozens of spot prizes throughout the field.

The first race is in Helensburgh on Thursday, May 9; the second in Dumbarton on May 16; and the final on Glasgow Green on Sunday May 26th.

Visit babcock10kseries.co.uk for more information.

Turn to page 38 of this week’s issue for the third week of our unique 10K Series training guide, with 2018 Helensburgh race winner Katie White of Garscube Harriers.