This year’s Babcock 10K Series will hit the ground running in Helensburgh next week as hundreds of athletes are set to visit the town.

The first of the series' three races will take place in the town on Thursday, May 4. 

In a change to this year's programme, the second race in the series will be the Shettleston 10K on a traffic-free course at Glasgow Green on Sunday, May 14 at 10am.

The race series will conclude in Dumbarton - run in past years as the second event in the series - on Thursday, May 25 at 7.30pm.

More than 1,600 runners from around Scotland and throughout the world - with some coming from as far away as Germany – will be participating.

The standard of athletes taking part is especially impressive this year, as more than 20 men have recorded times faster than 31 minutes with at least 10 going under 30 minutes, and at least 10 women recording times around 36 minutes.

These top runners will be competing to win £6,000 in cash and Start Fitness vouchers with £200 on offer for the men’s and women’s individual winners in each race.

There are also bonuses of £200 each for runners who achieve course and series records.

A spokesperson for the series said: “This year’s Babcock 10K Series has attracted the highest standard in the event’s history.

“More than 1,600 runners have already entered the three-race series.

“Notable athletes to watch out for include Fraser Stewart of Cambuslang, who won the Scottish Half Marathon Championship and was runner-up over ten miles.

“Sonia Samuels leads the women’s entries, winning both the Helensburgh and Shettleston races last year. She will be looking to chase down Fionnuala Ross’s record.”

Every 10K finisher will be awarded a medal and gifted Start Fitness running merchandise.

Series entrants will be given a long-sleeved top commemorating their participation in all three runs.

This year has introduced a Babcock 2K Family Fun Run at Shettleston which will take place after the main race, with specially minted medals for all finishers.

For more information visit babcock10kseries.co.uk and enter at runabc.co.uk.