How to Prevent Chafing When Running Over 100 Miles: The Imogen Boddy Approach

Record breaker, ultra running role model, Calippo lover: Imo Boddy has been making a splash in the running world, most recently with her amazing run at The Speed Project - a unique 350-mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. One of her must-have secrets to make it through endless hours of heat, sweat, and sun? A runners’ anti-chafing cream she can trust, the TrailSkin Anti-Chafe Salve.

Imo’s biggest lesson is one for every trail (or road!) runner: “It’s important to use the product before you need the product.” Here’s her story.

From Record-Breaking Challenges to The Speed Project

Imogen has made a name for herself in the running world by conquering big challenges: multi-day FKT (fastest known time) attempts, with endless hours on feet. In 2024, she set the Guinness World Record for the fastest female athlete to complete the UK National Three Peaks Challenge - at the time, her six days, five hours, 43 minutes became the benchmark for completing c. 680 km (422 miles) between Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Yr Wyddfa. Before that, she became the youngest female to run the length of Britain at age 22 - covering 40 miles a day from John O’Groats to Land’s End, over 22 days. 

This year, another unique challenge presented itself: the mysterious “Fight Club style” unsanctioned race called The Speed Project. The route covers around 350 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, following an open itinerary with some variation allowed (so runners can pick their lines, to an extent). Imo set a new female course record for the solo run: 77 hours 54 minutes and a second place overall, behind a new male course record set by Biel. 

Founded by Nils Arend in 2014, The Speed Project started as a group run and gained notoriety over the years, but it also remained a very difficult event to get into. The event grew by word of mouth and took private WhatsApp messages to Nils to prove a runner’s motivation. Solo entries were added in 2020… and the rest is history. 

As Imo recalls, 2026 kicked off with different goals altogether: “My A goal was the South Downs Way 100 [100-miler], but The Speed Project got in touch to invite me to run, back in December. I really wanted to have an adventure again so I changed my focus.”

Just weeks later, she completed her first 100-mile race at the South Downs Way 100 in 17:33:35, finishing fourth woman and taking third place in the British Trail Running Championships ultra-distance classification.

Chafing: The Late-Race or Long-Distance Enemy

You may not often experience chafing while you train for ultras - that’s because you aren’t likely to do training runs longer than five, maybe six hours. But the risk of chafing builds gradually as sweat, salt, moisture, clothing seams, pack straps, and repeated movement all combine to wear down the skin’s protective barrier.

Imo says she’s fortunate enough not to chafe badly on a regular basis, but she’s had ample opportunity to experiment with “super-long stints” - especially when she’s sweating lots in hot weather. Previous multi-day challenges taught her the risks, including severe rubbing under her arms which led to needing large plasters for protection. By the time pain appears, however, the skin is already damaged. Continuing to run then adds more friction in an already sensitive area.

That’s why Imo learnt a new mantra: “use it before you need it” - especially for anti-chafe protection. 

Imo’s TrailSkin Strategy for 350 Miles

It became a running gag that during The Speed Project, Imo’s first words upon seeing her crew would be, “have you got the TrailSkin?” Anti-Chafe Salve is a regular part of her race routine and she and her crew went through two full-size tins during this one.

Applied to areas vulnerable to rubbing (including in between toes, under the sports bra line, or on the lower back where your pack might sit), the salve creates a protective barrier against friction and moisture. When we asked whether she found it effective enough over 350 miles through the desert, Imo’s verdict was short and clear: “I think you’ve really nailed it.”

The goal every day was the same as for any runner: prevent any hot spots before they become an issue, and re-apply day after day. Covering known problem areas with the Anti-Chafe Salve simply works. And, for re-applying on the go, the key is to turn to smaller Race Tube or Race Tin versions so you know you won’t have to reach into your pack to find it. 

Lessons for Every Runner

Chafing is not reserved for record attempts or multi-day races. Warm weather, rain, unfamiliar kit or an increase in distance can expose friction points that have never caused trouble before.

The common mistake is assuming that, because something has not happened in training, it will not happen on race day. Imo’s advice removes that gamble: identify vulnerable areas, apply protection before starting and carry enough to reapply when conditions demand it.

Once chafing begins, every step can make it worse. That’s why the best time to deal with it is before you hit the trail. 

If you’re preparing for hot, summer racing, grab our free complete guide to foot and skin management to learn the science behind our products and develop your own personalised prevention and recovery routines.

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