Tony promises a 'budgie-free zone'

Tony Abbott will run Sydney's City2Surf alongside vision-impaired athlete Nathan Johnstone.

TONY Abbott has rolled out more cash on his election spend-a-thon, committing $15 million to an anti-drowning policy.

The Opposition Leader made the announcement after finishing the City2Surf race in Bondi, Sydney.

Mr Abbott also committed up to $500,000 to the rebuilding of the North Bondi surf club.

Under the $15 million funding plan, $8 million will be provided directly to surf clubs, $2 million to the Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction program and $1 million to assist AUSTSWIM.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in the City2Surf 2013 with Nathan Johnston. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Abbott was flanked by his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull who he described as his "friend".

Tony Abbott and Nathan Johnston meet other competitors before the start of the City2Surf 2013. Picture: Rebekah Cavanagh

He wouldn't say exactly how the new spending would be funded, only to reference the $17 billion in savings the Coalition had already outlined.

"You will see more savings announced as this campaign goes on," Mr Abbott said.

Asked why he was not wearing his budgie smugglers for today's announcement, Mr Abbott said they wouldn't be making an appearance on the campaign.

"I think election campaigns should be budgie-free zones," he said.

Earlier this morning, the Opposition Leader completed the 14km race while acting as a guide for visually impaired triathlete Nathan Johnston with a race time of 1 hour 22 minutes.

Speaking after the race Mr Abbott said it was a great experience.

Today is the first time Mr Johnston has participated in the City2Surf.

The Sydneysider said it was "pretty special" to be able to do the run with the Opposition Leader.

The pair ran together in the 42km Sydney Marathon in 4 hours and 26 minutes in September last year.

Mr Abbott said it meant a lot to him to run alongside Mr Johnston.

"It's an exhilarating and amazing thing just to run a marathon," he said of their last run together.

"It's a terrific personal challenge for anyone but to do it with someone who it really is not just running a marathon, but climbing a mountain well that just is fantastic," he said.

Mr Johnston said it was a privilege to run alongside someone who could be Australia's next prime minister.

"I think he'd make a really good prime minister," he said.

"I think he can mate," he said when asked if he could run the country well.

Mr Abbott joked no records would be broken, but he hoped they could finish the race in 75 minutes.

Mr Abbott said before he started that he was hoping to finish the race in 75-80 minutes.

"It all depends what kind of a position you get at the start of the race," the Opposition Leader said.

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