Renowned Athletes to Compete in Key West's Pole Vault in Paradise

This year, the Pole Vault in Paradise competition is returning to Higgs Beach in Key West with some of the world’s top athletes! Taking place on Atlantic Boulevard on Saturday, Jan. 7, the event is sanctioned by USA Track and Field and will feature participants of all ages competing for prizes and personal bests.

The 2023 competition will include Deia Goff, a silver medalist at the 2022 World Masters Athletics Championships; Tray Oates, a 2016 Olympic Games alternate and four-time U.S. championships qualifier; Jorge Luna Estes, a multiple-time Mexican national champion; and Scott Houston, who won the national title at the 2018 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships and has been ranked among the world's top 25 vaulters.

On Friday, Jan. 6, athletes will have the chance to practice from 1-5 p.m., with final registration occurring from 3-5 p.m. The competition will kick off with a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, with flights based on opening heights beginning around 9 a.m. Prize money will be rewarded to 1st-3rd place finishers in each division, as well as anyone who breaks the island records (men: 18 feet, 4.866 inches; women: 14 feet, 3.259 inches).

Registration for the event is still open and costs $50 per person through Nov. 30 and $75 per person thereafter. All proceeds from the competition will benefit the nonprofit Key West Track & Field Club, which helps to fund local high school teams and promote track and field within the Lower Keys. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to watch and support some of the world’s best athletes!