London, Nov.8 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined other world leaders in taking up running as part of a new exercise regime.

The Prime Minister, who is 58, can be seen slogging it out in the genteel surroundings of St James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park each morning to the surprise of dog walkers, reports The Telegraph.

He wears a dark tracksuit and is accompanied by detectives.

He has been following the strict regime for a couple of months, according to senior Whitehall sources.

Whether or not he was influenced by his opponent’s love of jogging is not clear.

David Cameron is regularly photographed running energetically in sporty shorts.

The French President, Nicholas Sarkozy, 54, is also a veteran jogger.Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has also been known to go for a run, while the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s favourite place to jog is Hyde Park.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been photographed running on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro as has the Bolivian President Evo Morales.

Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used to get up at 4.30am to make sure she could get at least 40 minutes on the treadmill.

American Presidents have long been keen joggers. Jimmy Carter used to run, as did President Clinton and President Bush.By contrast, Barack Obama chooses to work out in the gym for about 45 minutes a day. He also plays basketball on the court in the White House.

Tony Blair was fond of tennis and leapt on any public opportunity to kick around a football. He also led a sponsored run around the grounds of Chequers. (ANI)