Helensburgh AAC organise two events each year – The Helensburgh Babcock 10k and the Hel’n’Back trail race.
The Babcock 10k road race is the final race in the 3 part Babcock Series, taking place in May each year.
After a 2 year absence, the extremely popular Hel’n’Back trail race is back for 2026! It will take place on 12th September and entries are open via Entry Central.
Helensburgh 10K
Thursday 28th May 2026
The course starts and finishes at Hermitage Academy which provides extensive facilities for car parking, changing, toilets, showers, catering and prize presentations. The course is fast and largely flat and is a single circuit which takes in much of this delightful Victorian seaside resort. The roads are quiet and well marshalled. The event offers a warm welcome to Olympians, serious club runners and recreational runners alike. For more information visit the Babcock 10K website Babcock 10k series
Every finisher will receive a unique commemorative medal and different item of Start Fitness merchandise at each event.
Results for the 2025 event can be found on the ProTay website :Babcock Helensburgh 10k 2025 – Results
Many thanks to the small army of volunteers who turn up and give freely of their time to make the event such a success – ideally, 70 marshals are required around the route! If you are a club member/ex member or just interested in helping and being part of this fantastic event, please get in touch via the website or our Facebook page.
Hel’n’Back Trail Race Saturday 12th September 2026
Hel’n’Back – Enter via Entry Central
Welcome to the Hel n Back Trail Race!
The race starts from Hermitage Academy at 11am – there will be a short safety brief at 10.50am and from there a short walk to the other end of the school for the start line. Lots of friendly and encouraging marshals all the way round. We have the BEST marshals!!
There’s a short section at the start and end of the route on tarred pavement and road and about half way round for less than one KM. Apart from that it is mainly land rover track and some well made trails.
On a good day this race offers great views! What’s not to love. There is a lot of hills in this which is a good thing for a hill race! The climbs come in 4 parts with the last one through the trees being both the steepest and shortest. At around 8 kms you are all downhill to the finish. There is a short downhill between the second and third climb to allow your legs a wee break. With the last 4 Kms being downhill on a good gradient you can let go and enjoy the route to the finish.
Getting there
The school has a large and free car park for use of the runners. We did notice in 2018 that this car park did become full quickly as there were other children’s activities happening in the school. There is lots of street parking close by.
Results from 2026 Hel’n’Back
Results from the Trident Trail Race (held in 2024 and 2025 when the Hel’n’Back route was impassable) can be found below along with Hel’n’Back results from earlier years:
Results and photographs from the 2024 event can be found below:
Race photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/201503254@N08/albums/72177720320330420
https://www.flickr.com/photos/201503254@N08/albums/72177720320332837/with/53997577599
Results from Trident 10Km 14/09/2024
