Vaseline Named Official Nipple Protector of the TCS Sydney Marathon

TCS Sydney Marathon has announce that Vaseline has been appointed as the event’s “Official Nipple Protector,” launching “The Nipple Sponsorship” campaign to address the prevalent issue of chafing among endurance athletes.

With 40,000 participants expected to compete in the 42.195-kilometre race on 30 August 2026, the partnership aims to provide a tangible solution to “runner’s nipple” and general friction-related discomfort, which research indicates affects 92 per cent of marathon participants.

The campaign is underpinned by research from Edelman DXI, which revealed that 67 per cent of marathoners have experienced bleeding due to chafing, with one in three runners specifically reporting nipple irritation. As part of the sponsorship, Vaseline will provide its iconic petroleum jelly products at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show and maintain a presence on-course, offering runners on-the-go support throughout their race-day challenge.

Noting that the campaign serves to formalise a common practice already prevalent among the running community, global brand director at Vaseline, Nathalia Amadeu, said: “The running community has always built a culture around sharing what works.”

“With 3 in 5 marathon runners already using Vaseline to help reduce chafing,

“‘The Nipple Sponsorship’ recognises a hack runners have trusted for decades.

“It’s about showing up for runners in the moments that matter, so they can focus on the finish line, not friction,” Amadeu stated.

Highligting the value of the partnership, commercial director of the TCS Sydney Marathon, Kent Lunney, added: “The best partnerships start with genuine relevance, chafing is one of the most common challenges our participants face, so naming Vaseline the Official Nipple Protector of the TCS Sydney Marathon is equal parts good fun and genuine service to our runners.”

“We are proud to welcome a partner of this calibre to Australia’s largest marathon and to back it with a fun campaign that resonates with the running community,” Lunney added.

To coincide with the campaign, Vaseline is launching the new All-Over Body Balm Stick—a portable, mess-free product designed for mid-race reapplication.

This innovation is being supported by a retail exclusive at Chemist Warehouse, with promotional discounts available from 22 July through 15 September 2026. 

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