A GROUP of daring fun-runners were joined by a former Prime Minister as they raced through ice-cold waters for a charity event.

David Cameron, who resigned as Witney MP last year, joined scores of would-be athletes battling the elements for the 10th Great Brook Run in Chadlington.

The 51-year-old, who took on the race with his children and bodyguard, was no match for 16-year-old Sam Stich, who came out on top in his first attempt.

Chadlington’s Great Brook Run is an annual cross-country race which takes place half on land and half in water.

Runners start at the Tite Inn and run alongside The Great Brook for the first half-mile of the race.

At the halfway point, the race becomes much tougher and competitors have to make their way back thrashing through the brook.

The race ends with runners worming their way through a tunnel, immersed in the cold water of the brook.

At least one of the runners - the country’s former leader - was somewhat worse for wear by that point.

First-time organiser Jono Harris-Bass said: “David Cameron ran it with a couple of his children and his bodyguard. His bodyguard came out looking pretty relaxed, like he’d just been for a stroll, where as Cameron looked like he had exerted himself quite hard and was looking forward to the finish.

“He needs to be given real respect for coming along though because there’s no need to put himself through it.”

Mr Cameron finished 55th out of 151 - with an estimated time of around 19 minutes.

He may have once been Prime Minister, but Mr Cameron evidently needed more training if he planned to beat race winner Sam, of Shipton-under-Wychwood, who finished in just over nine minutes.

Unfortunately for the Bloxham School student, his victory came at a cost, with under-preparation leading to a surprise bout of sickness after he crossed the line.

He said: “I thought it was quite fun but I did end up getting a bit light headed. I hadn’t done any sport since Christmas either so that didn’t help - but it was good to win.

“I cut my knee at the end as I came through the tunnel but it was so cold I was numb so I didn’t even feel it. When I got back onto normal ground at the end it felt really weird.”

This was the 10th time the event has taken place in the village and it is rapidly becoming a tradition.

Each year money is raised for different good causes. This year, more than £1,000 raised from entrance fees will go to the Friends of Chadlington School.

Charlotte Warren was first of the female competitors while Iain Lee was the ‘veteran’s race’ winner.