Richmond MP Rishi Sunak joined primary schoolchildren on their regular pre-school exercise run established to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Mr Sunak donned his running gear to head out into the North York Moors with pupils and staff from Osmotherley Primary School.
The Morning Mile was established at the school last December and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday a group of pupils, staff and parents do the run.
Although the run is optional, on most days it attracts 15-20 pupils and some have not missed a run since it started.
The school’s acting headteacher Jane Bamber said: “We launched this initiative to improve the fitness of the pupils and the staff and to encourage good habits around taking regular exercise.
“We are lucky enough to be situated on the edge of the North York Moors so we were also keen to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings.”
She said that the run was organised by a qualified sports coach, held on days when there was no PE lessons and took half an hour before school. If it was wet or icy an exercise session in the school hall was held instead.
Mr Sunak said he had very much enjoyed his run with the children. “What a great way to start the day. I commend what the school is doing to encourage pupils to develop the habit of keeping fit.
“We are all aware of the growing problem of childhood obesity which can become adult obesity, the implications for the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals affected and the burden that it places on our health services later in their lives.”