Supernova Kelpies is not an ordinary 5K. Held after dark at The Helix in Falkirk, the event combines running, walking, music and light beneath two of Scotland’s most dramatic modern landmarks.
The Kelpies are 30-metre-high steel horse heads inspired by Scotland’s working horses and the mythical water creatures of Scottish folklore. Illuminated against the night sky, they provide an unforgettable setting for runners of all ages and abilities.
Supernova Kelpies normally offers event nights across a Friday and Saturday in March. This guide is based around the Saturday event, but Friday participants can simply move the race-day suggestions forward and use Saturday for recovery and sightseeing.
Friday: Arrive and Settle In
Arriving on Friday gives you time to become familiar with Falkirk before Saturday evening’s run.
Falkirk town centre offers convenient access to restaurants, shops and both Falkirk Grahamston and Falkirk High railway stations. Accommodation near The Helix or Grangemouth may reduce your journey after the event, while a central hotel can be more convenient for exploring the wider area.
If you are travelling by train, check which station is closest to your accommodation. Falkirk High sits on the main Edinburgh–Glasgow line, while Falkirk Grahamston is closer to the town centre and has different rail connections.
Drivers should consult the latest event information before choosing accommodation or parking. Spaces at The Helix can be limited, and road works or closures may affect access. Event parking and shuttle arrangements can also change between years.
For dinner, book Gambero Rosso on Burnbank Road. The family-run Italian restaurant sits beside the Forth and Clyde Canal and serves pizza, pasta, seafood and other Italian dishes. It is a useful choice for groups seeking familiar food before an active weekend.
Saturday Morning: Breakfast and Local History
Start Saturday at Antonio’s Coffee on Grahams Road, close to Falkirk Grahamston station. The café serves speciality coffee, tea and food in a convenient central location.
After breakfast, visit Callendar House. The historic mansion has more than 600 years of history and contains exhibitions exploring the house, the local area and the Antonine Wall. Its restored Georgian kitchen is a particular highlight.
The surrounding Callendar Park is extensive, but avoid turning your visit into a long hike. Choose a short route near the house and save your energy for the evening.
Callendar House also contains a café, but use it for a drink or small snack rather than eating a large lunch immediately after breakfast.
Saturday Lunch: See the Falkirk Wheel
Travel to the Falkirk Wheel during the middle of the day. The rotating boat lift connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, replacing a historic flight of locks that once linked the waterways.
You can watch the wheel operate from the visitor area or book a boat trip that travels through the structure. A boat journey is particularly suitable before an evening race because it allows you to experience the attraction while seated for much of the visit.
For lunch, book a table at Boardwalk. The restaurant overlooks the wheel and serves a broad selection of familiar dishes. Its location means you can combine lunch and sightseeing without making another journey across town.
Keep the meal balanced and familiar. Supernova is a 5K rather than a marathon, so there is no need for extensive carbohydrate loading. A normal lunch followed by a smaller pre-race snack should provide enough energy.
Saturday Afternoon: Rest and Prepare to Glow
Return to your accommodation during the afternoon and spend time off your feet. Prepare your race clothing, attach your event number and check the official information for arrival, baggage and parking arrangements.
The event encourages fluorescent outfits, lights and glow accessories. Creativity is part of the fun, but everything you wear should be safe to run or walk in. Avoid loose decorations, long capes, obstructive headwear or lights bright enough to affect another participant’s vision.
An LED head torch may be included with entry, but check your event benefits rather than assuming one will be supplied. If using your own, test it before leaving home.
March nights in Falkirk can be cold, wet and windy. The temperature may feel comfortable while moving but significantly colder while waiting at the start or standing after the finish. Pack gloves, warm layers and a waterproof jacket, along with dry socks and shoes.
Eat a small snack around two or three hours before running. A banana, toast, cereal bar or simple sandwich should be sufficient for most participants. Avoid experimenting with unfamiliar energy products.
Saturday Evening: Experience Supernova Kelpies
Arrive at The Helix early enough to park or leave your transport, find the event area, use the toilets and deposit baggage. Expect the park to be busier than on a normal evening.
The 5K route explores the home of The Kelpies through an illuminated journey around The Helix. Music, lighting and glowing participants create an atmosphere that feels more like a moving celebration than a conventional road race.
Supernova Kelpies is open to runners and walkers of different ages, making it particularly suitable for families and mixed-ability groups. Children under the stated age must remain within arm’s reach of an accompanying adult, so review the current rules before entering.
If you are participating as a family, agree on what happens if someone wants to slow down or stop. Staying together and enjoying the experience may be more important than achieving a particular finish time.
Paths can be dark, damp or crowded in places. Pay attention to marshals, remain aware of other participants and avoid stopping suddenly for photographs in the middle of the route.
The illuminated sculptures provide a spectacular backdrop, but there will be opportunities for photographs before and after the run. You do not need to capture every angle while moving.
After the Finish: Warm Up and Refuel
Once you have crossed the line, continue walking gently, collect your belongings and put on warm clothing immediately. Even if you feel hot after running, body temperature can drop quickly on a cold March night.
The Helix Visitor Centre Café normally closes well before the evening event finishes, so do not depend on it for a post-race meal.
Instead, reserve a late table at Cook’s Bar & Kitchen in the grounds of the Grange Manor Hotel. The restaurant is located between Falkirk and Grangemouth and offers a convenient setting for a warm meal after the event. Confirm the final food-ordering time directly with the venue before booking, as the race begins in the evening.
If you are travelling with children or expect to finish late, keeping food at your accommodation may be easier. Soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate and familiar snacks can provide a comfortable alternative to a formal meal.
Sunday Morning: Enjoy a Relaxed Breakfast
Begin Sunday with breakfast at The Westfield Café inside Falkirk Stadium. Located a short distance from The Helix, the café overlooks Falkirk Football Club’s pitch and provides a relaxed setting for coffee and food.
Afterwards, return to The Kelpies in daylight. Seeing the sculptures during the day reveals details that are difficult to appreciate under event lighting, including thousands of individual steel plates and the surrounding canal landscape.
Book a Kelpies tour if available. Guided tours explain the engineering, construction and symbolism of the sculptures and may include access inside one of the structures.
Keep the rest of your walk around The Helix short and comfortable. The park covers approximately 350 hectares, but recovery does not require exploring every path.
Sunday Afternoon: Discover Another Side of Falkirk
Travel west to Rough Castle, one of the best-preserved sections of the Antonine Wall. Built by the Romans during the second century, the site contains visible earthworks from a fort and defensive frontier.
The ground can be muddy and uneven in March, so wear suitable footwear and reconsider the visit if anyone has sore legs or mobility concerns.
For an indoor alternative, visit the Bo’ness Motor Museum. Its collection includes classic cars, television and film memorabilia and items connected with James Bond. Check seasonal opening times before travelling.
For lunch, try Sanam Tandoori on Callendar Road. The long-established Falkirk restaurant serves Indian dishes and offers an opportunity to enjoy a more substantial meal after the previous night’s run.
Sunday Evening: Finish at a Comfortable Pace
Spend the final evening somewhere close to your accommodation. Masala Ram’s on Union Street is a central option serving Indian cuisine in contemporary surroundings.
If you would prefer a quieter finish, pick up food and relax at your hotel rather than scheduling another formal meal. An evening event can disrupt normal sleep and meal patterns, particularly for families with young participants.
Monday: Add One Last Local Experience
If you are staying until Monday, finish the trip with a visit to Muiravonside Country Park. The park includes woodland, riverside paths and Newparks Farm, where families can see farm animals.
Select a short route based on the weather and how your legs feel. March paths may be wet, so bring waterproof shoes.
Before leaving, stop at The Helix Visitor Centre Café for soup, a sandwich, cake or coffee with views towards the sculptures. Visiting during daytime opening hours provides a more relaxed experience than trying to find refreshments on race night.
Make Supernova a Full Falkirk Weekend
Supernova Kelpies combines a family-friendly 5K with one of Scotland’s most striking illuminated landmarks. Its evening schedule leaves plenty of time to explore Falkirk’s canals, industrial heritage and historic sites.
Arrive early, plan your race-night food carefully and pack for cold March conditions. By combining the event with the Falkirk Wheel, Callendar House and a daylight visit to The Kelpies, you can turn an hour of glowing activity into a memorable weekend.
Opening hours, menus, event benefits and transport arrangements can change. Check directly with venues and consult the latest Supernova Kelpies participant information before travelling.