Quote Originally Posted by Alexandra View Post
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.
I used the poles EVERY step of the way, cham > cham. The reason being that I thought I'd do what I did in 2008 and carry them for 60 miles...

As for size, I'm 6ft and 13 stone, but would say I'm quite long legged so have a quick walk, and the poles help to keep a momentum up.