And I don't mean those from eastern Europe. I mean those that you use to help you uphill. I was very surprised, as were many others, to see someone, using 2 'walking sticks' in the Ennerdale fell race. Any thoughts on this? The 'racer' finished very well up.
Never seen this in Uk races but have heard about people doing BG's with poles...
In my very limited knowledge of European races I've heard that quite a lot of the pack use poles. They have the excuse that their mountains are bigger or something like this...
The bottom line is that it is giving the runner an advantage over others of the same fitness level, so in all fairness either everyone uses poles or nobody uses them simple really.
rules needed!
Why are rules needed?
There are too many rules already!
Why shouldn't poles be used? They may help for part of the route but they have to be carried for the rest of it.
Here is an article about Walking Poles
The main purpose of walking poles is to make money for the manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer.
Don't be fooled by advertising blurb about the benefits or the desire to follow fashion.
IMHO the only use of poles in fell races would be to to trip up other competitors.
Advantage? Personally I'd find them a complete pain in the arse! You could argue that choice of shoe gives an advantage over people of a similar fitness level?Originally Posted by Twister
Never seen this in Uk races but have heard about people doing BG's with poles...
In my very limited knowledge of European races I've heard that quite a lot of the pack use poles. They have the excuse that their mountains are bigger or something like this...
The bottom line is that it is giving the runner an advantage over others of the same fitness level, so in all fairness either everyone uses poles or nobody uses them simple really.
rules needed!
You could vault over streams with them. Or dance round them...
The person in question is/was? a member of the british ski mountaineering team so I reckon if anyone knew how to use poles then he would.
He would also be at the sharp end of races with or without poles being a multiple elite mountain marathon winner.
not fussed if people use poles or not.
The amount of TOG walker who click, click, click past our door using these bloody things puts me off ever using them.
Until one starts wearing blue hair rinses, hiking boots to walk on the tarmac lanes or smelling of talc-powder and piss, there is no sane reason for using poles.
Just an observation, I happen to know several TOG's and they are generally nice people.
Oh dear! Sounds like crossover from other sports means we're starting to get "innovations" creeping in to fell races. I mean camelbacks are aesthetically unpleasing enoughwithout the visual and aural pollution of 100 pairs of poles clattering round the fells.
What next? the <insert name of pole manufacturer here> British Fell Running Championship?
Reminds me of cycling and triathlon. Dodgy aero helmets and guys racing in bikinis. Wtf?
Last edited by Oscar; 15-06-2008 at 08:32 AM. Reason: dodgy spleling!
Interesting debate
I've used poles for walking in the Lakes and trips to the Alps, Pyrenees etc for years and find they give two advantages - help you walk uphill more efficiently but also protect suspect knees etc downhill.
I've never run with them but tend to think they'd be counterproductive as I can't think you'd use them downhill, where for me they give most help.
I don't see point in banning them but equally can't see them catching on for UK fell running.
If using them helps older people get out into the hills when without they could no longer manage it then that's a good thing IMO.
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