Quote Originally Posted by IainR View Post
People have great runs with and without. I think for the faster runners sticks are less necessary.

I used them in 2009 and found them superb. I was steady early on, well down the field, but the last 12 hrs was probably my best few hours of running ever and I moved through the field easily finishing just outside the top 50 in 29:15. I'm sure it was because I was using the poles.

But I don't think there is a definitive answer. I'm quite big for a runner and think poles make a huge difference. The hands on knees walk that us fell runners use isn't possible for 30 hrs.
Looking again at the video of this year's UTMB, the 2nd finisher was carrying sticks, as were at least 30% if not 50% of the first 19. One had them very neatly collapsed on his sack at either side, others jutting up above their heads behind, others had them folded in their hands and others again long and unwieldy in their hands. At any rate, sticks had not held them back much if at all.