A crowd gathered Monday to see high-jumpers at Hy-Vee in Waukee. Now shoppers are getting to see the pole vault at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines.

Holding events away from the Drake Blue Oval gives new crowds a chance to see professional athletes in action.

This is the fifth year for the event at the mall and the athletes say they’re big fans.

“I think every year is more fun,” top 10 female pole vaulter Mary Saxer said.

“It’s my fourth time back and it’s always so exciting – the energy, the music before I even start warming up, people up on the balconies – it’s truly unique. We get paired up in teams. It doesn’t get old. There needs to be more events like this.”