Conquer the Full Spine: Why Mountain King TrailBlaze and SkyRunner are the Only Poles for the Montane Spine Race

The Montane Winter Spine Race is globally renowned as “Britain’s Most Brutal Race.” A non-stop, 268-mile ultra run along the unforgiving backbone of England—the Pennine Way—in the depths of January, it demands an unparalleled combination of physical endurance and equipment resilience. Every item of gear must not only perform in sub-zero temperatures, gale-force winds, and miles of bog, but must also be utterly dependable. It is within this context of extreme necessity that the Mountain King TrailBlaze and SkyRunner series have become the established, most appropriate choice for Spine Racers. These are not merely trekking poles; they are the best ultra running poles designed for UK terrain, underpinned by the brand's unique status as the longest-standing and only UK manufacturer of trail running poles.

Mountain King TrailBlaze - Red (Montane Winter Spine Race)

To understand why Mountain King poles are superior for this epic challenge is to understand the difference between gear that is adequate and gear that is engineered for extremity. This performance is quantifiable: in the 2025 Montane Spine Race, the reliability, lightweight design, and resilience of Mountain King's TrailBlaze and SkyRunner poles contributed to 9 top 10 finishers relying on their stable support to conquer the 268-mile Pennine Way. This extraordinary success rate cements their status as the definitive trail running poles for serious endurance racing. It is a story of three decades of continuous UK-based innovation, unmatched quality control, and a design philosophy forged on the very fells the Spine Race traverses.

Engineering for Extremity: The Three Demands of the Spine Race

The Montane Spine Race imposes three non-negotiable demands on ultra running poles that typically break lesser imported equipment, proving why the Mountain King TrailBlaze and SkyRunner Series are the best running poles for this challenge:

1. Absolute Durability in Sub-Zero Conditions

The extreme cold, often dipping far below freezing, can compromise the integrity of plastics, connection mechanisms, and locking systems in mass-produced poles. Water intrusion from snow or sleet can freeze, seizing the internal mechanisms. Mountain King, however, builds its poles in the North of England, drawing on decades of experience understanding UK weather. The TrailBlaze and SkyRunner poles feature simplified, robust folding mechanisms, minimizing components that can seize or fail. Our use of high-grade aerospace aluminium and proprietary SRC and RDC carbon fibre shafts ensures structural integrity that does not suffer from brittleness in the cold, providing crucial support when every footfall requires stability. For the unforgiving environment of the Winter Spine Race, their durability is paramount.

2. Unmatched Reliability for 268 Miles

The Spine Race is not a single-day event; it is a continuous exertion over seven days. Ultra running poles are deployed, packed away, and re-deployed hundreds of times, often with numb, fatigued hands. The simplicity and strength of the TrailBlaze and SkyRunner designs shine here. The poles are built for rapid, reliable assembly and disassembly. A locking mechanism failure halfway up High Cup Nick in a whiteout is not just inconvenient—it's potentially race-ending or dangerous. The confidence derived from using the only ultra running pole UK manufacturer with a 30-year legacy of British engineering for reliability is a psychological advantage few other gear choices can offer on the Pennine Way.

3. Precision Support on Diverse and Technical Terrain

The Pennine Way transitions from hard-packed frost-covered trails to deep peat bog, slippery limestone flags, and technical rocky descents. The trail running poles must offer stable support without adding cumbersome weight. The SkyRunner series, known for its ultra-lightweight carbon construction, excels in reducing fatigue over hundreds of miles, conserving upper body strength for when it’s needed most. Meanwhile, the TrailBlaze series offers a robust balance, often favoured by racers for its blend of low weight and high resilience against unexpected impacts from hidden stones or rough tumbles. Both lines feature ergonomic grips designed to maintain blood flow and comfort over exhaustive periods, a small detail that becomes a life-saver across five nights in the wild, confirming their status as the best trail running poles for varied British topography.

The TrailBlaze vs. SkyRunner: Optimising for the Spine

While both the TrailBlaze and SkyRunner Series are engineered as best trail running poles for ultra-distance, they cater to slightly different racing strategies for the Spine:

The TrailBlaze: The Workhorse of the Pennine Way

The TrailBlaze series has earned a loyal following among Spine racers, and for good reason. The poles are praised for their unrivalled durability and performance in adverse conditions. The TrailBlaze offers several key features that make it a formidable companion for the race:

• Lightweight without Compromise: Weighing as little as 100g for the Ultra version, the TrailBlaze is designed to save energy over hundreds of kilometres without sacrificing strength or support. This is achieved by using high-grade carbon fibre and a robust design that can withstand the rigours of the trail.

• Built to Last: As one reviewer aptly put it, the TrailBlaze is essentially a "beefed-up tent pole with a handle and tip". This simple, yet effective, design ensures durability. Mountain King manufactures the poles in-house, giving them precise control over the materials used, from the aluminium alloy to the adhesives. This results in a surprisingly solid feel with little play in the joins, and the simple cord-and-knot system makes repairs easy on the trail.

• Intuitive Design: The four-section folding design, similar to that of a tent pole, allows for quick and easy deployment, even with cold and numb fingers. This is crucial in a race where fumbling with gear can lead to wasted time and energy. The foam handle is also well-regarded, providing comfort and grip even with sweaty hands.

The TrailBlaze has been a common sight among the top finishers in recent Spine races, with multiple podium appearances and victories underscoring its reliability. It’s a testament to the pole’s ability to perform under pressure, day after day, in the most challenging conditions imaginable.

2nd Place Female 2025 Montane Spine Challenger North Race.

The SkyRunner Series (Carbon, Ultra, RaceDay): The Lightweight Specialist…

For racers where every gram counts, the SkyRunner series provides an ultra-lightweight option without sacrificing performance. While the TrailBlaze offers a balance of weight and durability, the SkyRunner series is specifically designed for speed and endurance, making it a compelling choice for elite athletes.

• Elite Performance: Trusted by ultra-runners and trail athletes, the SkyRunner provides exceptional efficiency with minimal weight. This is particularly beneficial on long stretches of runnable trail, where the lighter weight allows for a faster arm turnover and less fatigue.

• Quick & Compact: The four-section foldable design is quick to deploy and pack away, making it easy to stow in a running vest when not needed. This is essential for navigating varied terrain, where runners may need to quickly transition from pole-assisted climbs to hands-free scrambling.

• Strong, but with a Caveat: While remarkably strong for their low weight, the carbon fibre SkyRunners have a bit more flex than their aluminium counterparts. As one reviewer noted after using them on the Cape Wrath Ultra, they might not be the best choice for carrying a heavy pack. However, for runners carrying a lighter load and seeking to maximise speed, the trade-off in flexibility is well worth it.

For runners like Ben Read, who put in a sensational performance at the 2025 Summer Spine Race, the lightweight and efficient design of poles like the SkyRunner RaceDay NEO poles was critical to success. The poles provide the propulsion needed to tackle steep climbs and maintain balance on technical descents, all while minimizing the energy expenditure of carrying extra weight. With the RaceDay Carbon (RDC) doing exactly as designed, with standing some of the most brutal terrain Great Britain and the Spine Race has to offer. The ability to place his hand not just on the side of the pole in the conventional form, but also on the top thanks to the 2025 NEO top, allowed Ben to place his pole further ahead and was able to act a better ‘aid’ in the more tricky section, with the RDC comfortable taking both his weight and his fully loaded race vest.

Why Poles Are Vital at the Spine

Beyond the specific features of the poles, the use of trekking poles or more specifically trail running and ultra running poles in general is a game-changer for ultramarathons like the Spine. They provide several key benefits that are amplified by the race's unique challenges:

• Enhanced Stability: The Pennine Way is a mix of slippery rocks, uneven surfaces, and deep, energy-sapping bogs. Poles provide an extra two points of contact with the ground, significantly increasing stability and confidence, especially on challenging descents. This is not only a performance advantage but also a safety benefit, reducing the risk of a fall.

• Energy Conservation: Ultramarathons are all about efficiency. Poles help shift some of the effort from the legs to the upper body, reducing overall leg fatigue. This is particularly important at the Spine, where runners are on their feet for days on end and a tired set of legs can spell the end of their race.

• Increased Speed and Rhythm: Poles provide forward propulsion on inclines and help maintain balance and rhythm on flats and descents. This translates to increased speed and a more consistent pace over the long haul.

• Reduced Impact: The relentless pounding of an ultramarathon takes a heavy toll on the joints. Poles help to reduce the strain on the knees and ankles, especially during descents, by distributing some of the impact.

A Testament to Quality

Ultimately, the strong showing of Mountain King poles at the Spine Race is a testament to the brand's quality and understanding of the ultra-runner's needs. The company's deep experience in manufacturing and testing its gear in the very conditions athletes will face gives them a distinct edge.

The TrailBlaze and SkyRunner poles represent two sides of the same coin: one focused on unwavering durability and the other on uncompromising lightness. Both, however, are united by a commitment to helping runners conquer the most demanding races. Whether a racer prioritizes absolute toughness or minimal weight, Mountain King has a pole that is up to the task.

As the Spine continues to test the limits of human endurance, the sight of Mountain King poles on the course will no doubt remain a constant. For many, they are more than just a piece of equipment; they are a trusted partner in the long, arduous journey to the finish line.