EDS: Not for use until 0630 (AEST) on Sunday, August 11.

SYDNEY, Aug 11, AAP - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will run Sydney's City2Surf alongside vision-impaired athlete Nathan Johnstone on day seven of the election campaign.

The pair will be among the 85,000 runners pounding the pavement on the 14-kilometre fun run from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach.

Mr Abbott helped guide Mr Johnstone, 27, during a Sydney marathon in September last year.

Mr Johnstone started losing his sight at age 14 after a degenerative disease damaged his retinas, leaving him with only 10 per cent vision.

He's aiming to compete at the Rio Paralympics.

As well as running, Mr Johnstone is a keen triathlete.

Mr Abbott will travel to Canberra on Sunday afternoon to face off against Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the first leaders debate at the National Press Club.

Originally published as Abbott and blind athlete to run City2Surf