Tough guy PM bags a medal - and a grazed shin - in cross country race... (which lasted a mile and finished at a village pub)

Vladimir Putin enjoys posing bare-chested on horseback and with hunting rifles to perpetuate his macho image.

In Britain, however, our leader has shown his Russian counterpart how a real action man does it. This was David Cameron yesterday as he got a full soaking during a race along a swollen icy stream in the Cotswolds.

The Prime Minister sported a support bandage on his right knee as he took part in the fund-raising competition close to his constituency home in Witney, Oxfordshire.

Mr Cameron, however, was able to secure plenty of photographs of himself taming the torrent.

The Prime Minister finished 46th out of a field of 109 (a few places behind a man dressed as Father Christmas) with a time of 18 minutes, 23 seconds.

He was greeted by wife Samantha at the end of the run at the Tite Inn. After asking his wife if she had any money he announced he was planning to have a burger to celebrate.

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.