Why do marathon runners, regardless of gender, wear nipple covers?
Chest patches were originally a specialized item used by women to block areola, in order to achieve the effect of invisible underwear. From a visual perspective, they are considered decorative items. But marathon runners wearing chest patches are not for the sake of looking good, but for another clever use:

1. The main function of invisible nipple covers is to protect the nipples
People who have not participated in marathons may find it difficult to understand the relationship between long-distance running and nipples! But the reality is that marathon runners will constantly rub their tops and nipples in contact during hours of running. Moreover, long-distance running sportswear is made of fiber products, and it is inevitable for contestants to get their clothes soaked in sweat during the running process, which can cause greater damage from friction. If a contestant does not wear a chest patch, their nipples may have ruptured due to friction before they have completed the entire race, and even blood may soak through their clothes!
So, the main function of chest patches in marathon sports is to protect athletes' nipples from friction, which is one of the equipment to protect athletes.

2. Maintain the image of contestants
Some people may say that since I am participating in the all horse long run, I am challenging the limits. I have a steel like will, and even if my nipples are rubbed and bleeding, I can endure this "pain"! But have you ever thought that the blood flowing out after rubbing and breaking the skin will soak the sportswear, and you can see two obvious blood stains from the outside.
Cities hosting marathon events usually have a large audience cheering and shouting on both sides of the track, as well as various media reports and live broadcasts. Even if you are not afraid of pain, it is estimated that those two bloodstains will seriously affect the personal image of the contestants. So the second function of the chest patch is to avoid awkward situations for contestants and maintain their personal image.

As we mentioned earlier, during long-distance running, clothes can rub against the contestants' nipples and cause damage. Even if they are not broken, they will be very uncomfortable, which will inevitably affect their performance. So chest patches are one of the essential items for all horse athletes to achieve good results.