boxing day 2012: David Cameron takes part in Great Brook Run cross-county race

Thursday, December 27, 2012

David Cameron takes part in Great Brook Run cross-county race

Prime Minister took part in Great Brook Run in Oxfordshire for the third time

PUBLISHED: 12:00 EST, 27 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:04 EST, 27 December 2012

David Cameron may not be the most athletic of politicians, but today he showed his sporty side as he participated in a cross-country charity race which involved running up a cold and muddy river.

And the Prime Minister came away with impressive proof of his physical prowess, as he sustained a nasty-looking cut during the event.

However, the race was not quite as rigorous as it seems - the course is just one mile long, and the finish line just happens to be a local pub.

Feat: David Cameron took part in the Great Brook Run on Thursday afternoon

Tough: The Prime Minister was forced to climb through a low tunnel as part of the annual race

Success: Mr Cameron posed with his wife Samantha after receiving a medal for completing the race

This year marked the third time Mr Cameron had participated in the Great Brook Run in Chadlington, a village in his Witney constituency in Oxfordshire.

But it was the first time he had taken part since becoming Prime Minister in 2010.

The mud-drenched run could raise parallels to the sporting exploits of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who is frequently photographed performing outlandish physical feats such as judo, scuba diving and tranquilising polar bears.

David Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron.

Cut: The Prime Minister's knee support did not stop him sustaining a nasty-looking graze on his shin

Ready to go: Mr Cameron rubbed his hands in anticipation at the start line of the race

Victory! The exhausted politician was still happy to pose for photographs at the end of the race

Support: Well-wishers cheered on the Prime Minister as they took pictures of his exploits

Mr Cameron was supported by his beaming wife Samantha and their children as he trudged up hills and through tunnels as he followed the route of the shallow stream.

The 46-year-old is notorious for frequently spurning a tie - and during Thursday's run he opted for an even more casual look, donning a lycra top and a pair of shorts.

And while he appeared red-faced and out of breath at times, the Prime Minister kept up his good humour as he posed for photographs with other runners.

Prime Minister David Cameron.

Hilarity: The fun race is intended as a charity fund-raiser and ends at a local pub

Joining in: This is the third time Mr Cameron has taken part in the Great Brook Run

Evasive action: The race may not be very long, but runners must brave a cold and muddy stream

At the end of the race, Mr Cameron was presented with the medal that is given to all competitors.

The Great Brook Run, which was first held in 2006, starts and ends at the Tite Inn in Chadlington and aims to raise funds for local good causes.

This year, the £5 entry fee was donated to the Chadlington Memorial Hall.

Mr Cameron may have been the most famous competitor in this year's race, but he was not the only well-known runner - Olympic medallist hockey player Beth Storry was also invited to run in the race.