I'm at the three stones. I've read everything I can online. I've tried every combo of W Sprint, reg sprint, running. I tried on Novice level. I tried taking off armor to be lighter. No matter what I do I am never fast enough to get to the first gate before it closes. Please help. I don't want to have to quit this game...

IIRC you have to 'normal' run between the stones and then as soon as the gates open hit the Whirlwind Sprint. I have to be in 1st person view otherwise I may run skewed, but I've been able to do it.

I tend to creep toward the centre of the stones until I activate the first 2 of them. Not until I'm that close do I run, and I hit WS with the normal sprint at the same time. I also play in first person as buckom said. I've never gotten through on my first try, practice makes perfect?

OMG I finally got it! I've been trying for hourssssss. I did what Abrinth said. (Which I'm pretty sure I've tried 1K times before... ;] ) I guess Talos favored me this time! Thanks.

I always do Whirlwind Sprint twice in quick succession to get through.

Another important (and easily missed) detail is to make sure your weapons are sheathed when you sprint past the stones....otherwise you might be too far away from the first gate when hit whirlwind.

This and I still have to walk forward quuickly just a little bit when the sprint stops and then I'm all the way through.