The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

#253: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "How Long do Pole Vault Standards Last?"

#253: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "How Long do Pole Vault Standards Last?"

8m

How long do pole vault standards last?

For many programs, the answer is: much longer than expected.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham explains why quality pole vault standards can often remain in service for decades—and why condition matters far more than age alone.

Topics include:

  • Why standards often outlast pits and other vault equipment

  • The components that typically wear first

  • Wheels, scales, adjustment hardware, and pegs

  • Storage and environmental exposure

  • Signs standards need maintenance or repair

  • When replacement actually makes sense

The goal is not to replace standards because they are old. The goal is to inspect their condition, maintain the components, and get the most safe, reliable service possible from the equipment.