DES MOINES, Iowa — The pole vault competition is returning to Jordan Creek Town Center for the first time since 2014, Drake Relays organizers announced on Wednesday.
"The Vault at Jordan Creek" will take place at the Center Court area of the Jordan Creek Town Center on Monday, April 22 at the start of Relays week.
"Jordan Creek Town Center is proud to once again host the Drake Relays Vault at Jordan Creek," said Randy Tennison, senior general manager of the Jordan Creek Town Center. "The excitement and energy of watching these highly skilled athletes perform amazing vaults inside the mall cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd is exhilarating."
The event was last held at the mall in 2014. In addition, the competition will mark the first pole vault event outside of the Drake University campus since 2019.
Beyond the pole vault competition, organizers announced some other fan-favorite events will return. The Drake Relays Team Shot Put Showcase, which debuted just last year, is back. The event will be headlined by Drake Relays champion and Olympian Ryan Crouser.
Drake Relays organizes have also made some small changes they hope will improve fans' experiences. For example, the Beautiful Bulldog Contest will take place right after the Drake Road Races, allowing families to stick around for the event.
Here's the full 2024 Drake Relays week schedule:
- Sunday, April 21
- Drake Road Races: Drake Stadium, 7:30 a.m.
- Beautiful Bulldog Contest: Knapp Center, 1 p.m.
- Monday, April 22
- Vault at Jordan Creek: Jordan Creek Town Center, 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23
- Grand Blue Mile: Grand Avenue, 6 p.m.
- USATF 1-Mile Road Championships: Grand Avenue
- Wednesday, April 24
- Shot Put Team Showcase: Drake Fieldhouse, 5 p.m.
- 114th Drake Relays officially begin (Meet schedule to be announced)