RUNNERS from across Scotland turned out in record numbers for the Dumbarton Babcock 10k race in the town last Thursday.

In only its second every year, more than 470 racers were put through their paces as part of the Babcock International 10k series.

Stephen Trainer of the Greenock Glenpark Harriers won the race, which kicked off at the Dumbarton Academy, as he posted a time of 31.43 to claim gold and see off fierce competition from the likes of Shettleston's Mike Deason and Inverclyde's Craig Ruddy.

Meanwhile Katie White of the Garscube Harriers followed her triumph in the Helensburgh Babcock 10k as she posted a time of 35.41 to take home the women's gold medal.

The Dumbarton Amateur Athletic Club produced a strong performance as the women's team won the team race for the second week in a row and Peter Currie ran a time of 35.30 to finish 30th overall and the best of the club's 17 runners.

Overall, there were 200 more entrants this year than last including 50 from sponsors Babcock International at Rosyth which houses several of the Royal Navy's submarines.

Kevin Johnson, who helped to organise the race, said it was great to see the sponsor showing such great support for the race.

He added: "We had a lovely, barmy, windless summer's evening so it was the ideal conditions for the race.

"It was a lovely combination of serious club runners and internationals at the front, through to people just completing the distance.

"The men's race proved exciting and it was good to see changing faces at the front.

"It was definitely a very competitive race.

"But, there were lots of smiling faces and lots of people contended with their efforts.

"All in all, it was a really great event."