TONY Abbott was well protected by his security detail on a run along Warrnambool's beachfront early on Saturday morning.

But respected local athlete Jenny Dowie nearly took him out.

"I nearly knocked him over I don't know how many times because it was so dark," Dowie said. "I had to keep apologising."

She was one of about 12 district runners selected to join the Prime Minister on the three-kilometre long lap from the breakwater, along Viaduct and Pertobe roads and back along the Promenade.

The group completed the first lap quickly and didn't hesitate to head back around a second time, led by Mr Abbott.

Other participants included Warrnambool Mayor Mike Neoh and members of the Surf"T'Surf fun run organising committee.

Dowie donned her Australian world duathlon championship top for the occasion. The humble athlete had planned to leave it in her wardrobe and never wear it, but figured it was the perfect choice for a run with the PM.

As the only woman in the group, Dowie was happy top settle in at the back of the pack, which included several security guards.

"Then I thought to myself, for once in your life, just be assertive and I said 'how about you let the girls in'."

"The pace was nice and relaxed, but in typical male style they put the pace in at the end."

Former Surf'T'Surf organiser Ben Anderson said he was happy Mr Abbott agreed to help promote next year's event and presented him with a t-shirt to mark the run.

Anderson had called his grandmother, 91-year-old Gwen Kelm of Horsham, on Friday night to let her in on the news.

"She couldn't believe her grandson got to run with the Prime Minister. She told me to let him know he's doing a wonderful job," Anderson said.