The Babcock 10K Series is known for its fast courses and speedy times... But forget beating the clock on race day itself, it seems you'll also need to be quick off the blocks in order to secure yourself a spot as organisers have announced that this year's Series has already seen over 1,000 entries across the three races offered.

Despite the rush in entries, there are still more than three months until the first race in Helensburgh on Thursday 4 May which will be closely followed by Shettleston on Sunday 14 May and finish up with Dumbarton on Thursday 25 May.

It has also be revealed that there will be a number of elite athletes taking part in the races. Series record holder, Weynay Ghebresilassie from Shettleston (29:32), was the first Briton over the line in last year’s London Marathon in 2:11:57. Ghebresilassie is currently training in Ethiopia, and before making a return to the Capital in May, he will be taking part in the Babcock 10K Series.

Weynay will be tough to beat in the Scottish 10K Championships at Shettleston and is likely to be joined by his club’s new recruit, Taha Ghafari, an Iranian Kurdish refugee who won the West District 10K Championships on 22 January. Taha is representing an IOC [International Olympic Committee] Refugee Team in the World Cross-Country Championships in Australia in March. Rising Shettleston stars, Lachlan Oates and Jamie Burns, are also expected to run, as are sub 31-minute men, Peter Avent and Chris McGarrity.

The women’s masters race at Shettleston has already attracted two stars in Garscube’s Lesley Bell, who recently broke British Records indoors over 1500m and 3,000m in the O-45 age group. Lesley will be up against Shetland-based, Michelle Sanderson, who runs for Springburn. While Irish International, Fionnuala Ross, is expected to defend her Series record of 34:08 after taking part in the Rotterdam Marathon in April.

Every finisher in each race will receive a unique commemorative medal, goody bag containing running merchandise from running retail partner, Start Fitness, bottled water and healthy snacks. There are more than £6,000 in cash prizes and Start Fitness vouchers for individuals, teams, age groups and local runners. There will also be 24 spot prizes in each race and bonuses for course records and Series records.

If you'd like to know more visit the Babcock 10K Series website or enter Helensburgh, Shettleston or Dumbarton now.

Image: Babcock 10K Series