Biofreeze Reduces Runners' Pain in 10 Seconds

Study presents evidence supporting the effectiveness of topical menthol in meaningful pain reduction 

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 8, 2025 – In a first-of-its-kind feasibility study conducted during a major U.S. marathon, researchers from Oxford University found that topical menthol can deliver rapid, measurable pain relief to athletes in real-world conditions. Led by Dr. Rebeccah Slater, Statutory Professorial Chair at the University of Oxford and Professorial Fellow at St. John's College, the study revealed that 70% of runners who participated in the study experienced meaningful pain relief within just 10 seconds of Biofreeze application resulting in a 35% reduction in pain, or a drop of at least two points on the standard 0–10 visual analog scale (VAS) for pain severity (no pain to worst pain possible).

Executed in partnership with Biofreeze, the #1 clinically recommended* menthol topical pain relief brand from Reckitt, the study was conducted during the 2024 Chicago Marathon, marking the first time pain relief research has been carried out during a major marathon event. Dr. Slater recently presented the findings at PAINWeek, the largest annual gathering of pain management professionals in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of studying pain relief in real-world, high-performance environments rather than controlled lab settings.

Additional findings from the study revealed:

• 89% of runners reported that the application of menthol to the skin aided their recovery
• Women tended to have more knee and hip pain among study participants
• Men reported a higher average pain score than women among marathon study participants

"From an evidence perspective, the findings provide real-world data from a large group of recreational runners doing a real activity alongside elite athletes," said Dr. Slater. "This data isn't generated in an artificial setting, and this makes it highly relevant for people with day-to-day sports-related aches and pains."

The study assessed** 192 marathon runners at the race finish line. On average, participants rated their pain just above six on the 0–10 VAS. Within 10 seconds of applying Biofreeze, that average dropped to four. Importantly, researchers found that neither a positive nor a negative expectation of pain relief efficacy had an impact on the magnitude of the reported pain relief, indicating that the observed effects were not attributable to placebo.

"Partnering with Oxford University – one of the world's leading clinical research institutions – has allowed us to validate what runners have long experienced with Biofreeze," said Mark Pearson, Global Vice President, VMS & Wellness at Reckitt.

Biofreeze has sponsored the Chicago Marathon since 2018, giving runners access to Biofreeze Pain Relief and Recovery Zones on the course and at the finish line. Located at mile 21, notoriously the most challenging point of a marathon, the Biofreeze Pain Relief Zone offers runners pain relief using Biofreeze cooling spray to help runners push through the final miles. This year, Biofreeze is expanding these experiences to runners at the Twin Cities and Dallas marathons.

More on Biofreeze can be found at www.biofreeze.com.

* Based on a survey of Clinicians: chiropractors, podiatrists, physical therapists, massage therapists, retail pharmacists, and athletic trainers, of OTC topical pain relief products; among clinicians who recommend brands containing menthol (Ipsos Clinician Survey)

** Anonymous survey distributed to runners – included verbal pain reports before and after (within 10 seconds) the post-race application of topical menthol (Biofreeze). Ethical approval was provided by University of Michigan Medical School Institutional Review Board.