MEET SOME OF THE WOMEN BEHIND THE PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB
Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo on June 22 is on track to celebrate the 103rd Running.
Many things have changed since the first race was staged in 1916. One of the most notable is the variety of roles women perform at every level of the Race to the Clouds. These women contribute their time and talent on Pikes Peak, but represent a much larger contingent of those making a difference.
“As anyone in motorsports knows, it takes many roles to make an iconic race happen. I’m proud that we have women performing integral race functions in all of these roles and at the highest levels – communications, competition services, safety team and truck captain, race control, course officials, tech, volunteers, interns, media, board, and law enforcement.
“We all take pride in being visible, so we can inspire the next generation of women who will keep this race moving forward for another 100 years. It’s an honor to lead this dynamic and inclusive team.”
Melissa Eickhoff, Chief Executive Officer
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
“From the time I began working for the PPIHC in 2017 as an intern, to my current position in Competition Services, I’ve learned so much about motorsports and staging a major event. Over the past eight years as my responsibilities have changed, I’ve grown both personally and professionally. I am so grateful to be part of the team that brings the best hill climb in the world to life for our international audience.”
Alex Urban, Director of Competition Services
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
“I’ve been involved with the PPIHC since 1992 with my husband, Clint, racing first in motorcycles and then cars, and my son, Codie, racing first in motorcycles, and then cars. Our family, however, has been involved since 1977. The thing about Pikes Peak is how our family works together, from building cars and engines, to doing backup timing for Pikes Peak. The camaraderie between our race crew, the timing crew, the cooking crew (yes, that’s us too), and competitors, is a valuable experience for everyone involved, which now includes my grandchildren.”
Shelly Vahsholtz – Timing
“As a former Executive Director and now a proud Board Member of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible contributions women make to this historic event. From competitors to organizers, women are integral to the PPIHC’s success. It is an honor to be part of an event that empowers all people to reach new heights.”
Megan Leatham, PPIHC Board of Directors
President and CEO, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
“I’ve been involved with the PPIHC since I was 15 years old – over 40 years! I’ve sold t-shirts, tickets, been a course official, section steward, staff member, and registrar. PPIHC means the world to me. It isn’t just “a race” – it is a family. I look forward to it every year – starting the day after the race!”
Marla Wiseman, Registrar and Board of Directors
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
“I grew up watching my dad, Nick Sanborn, and his twin brother, Frank, build race cars and compete on Pikes Peak. I volunteered with PPIHC for years selling merchandise, working in the office, helping with the awards ceremony, assisting Marla with registration, and staffing the press room.
“I became involved with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association about 20 years ago and really developed an interest in documenting the history of the race. In 2018, I was offered a position as Event Coordinator and Historian, and I’ve really grown as a writer as this role has evolved. Storytelling is a passion of mine, and it’s been great getting to know our competitors, hearing about their experiences, and sharing them with our fans. Whether a story is from 1916, 2025, or anywhere in between, I’m honored to preserve it for future generations.”
Lisa Haight, Communications Manager and Historian
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
“As an archivist, I am volunteering to preserve the papers, photographs and other Hill Climb artifacts.”
“As a historian, in the 1990’s, I was hired to do oral histories of drivers and mechanics, and had the pleasure of visiting Michèle Mouton at her lovely home in Grasse, France to document her winning experiences on Pikes Peak.
“As a spectator, my first race was in 1983 when my future husband, who had just bought an Audi Quattro, took me to Pikes Peak where we saw John Buffum win in a Quattro.”
Mary Elizabeth Ruwell, Volunteer
Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association
“I started as an EMT on an ambulance in 1999. In 2009, I transferred to the PPIHC Race Safety Team as one of the few women on a safety truck. I was welcomed to the team and a few years later became a safety truck captain. My goal was to have an all-female safety truck, and we accomplished that in 2023.
“PPIHC gets in your blood, and I look forward to June every year. The fellowship with teammates, officials, and drivers that you may see only once a year, along with the mountain and her beautiful views, bring me back year after year.”
Laura Ethridge – Safety Truck Captain
“Fifteen years ago a local fire department captain asked me to attend an event called the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. From the moment the morning air, and the smell of race fuel, mixed with the sunrise, I was hooked!
“Being a part of something much bigger than any one of us is why I have fallen in love with the Race to the Clouds. The last 15 years with PPIHC have taught me more about myself as I’ve navigated through the various stages of life. The mountain doesn’t discriminate against experience, drive or ability, but demands respect.”
Alyssa Bush, Communication Director/Race Control
“This year’s race will mark the 4th year I’ve covered the PPIHC as media. We came for the 100th Running and were immediately hooked. As professional photographers, we love the challenge of capturing the event. From finding those special spots on the mountain, to the unknowns of the weather and altitude, it’s a thrill.
“One of the favorite photos I’ve taken is the last photo of ‘Old Smokey’ coming past us at Boulder Park in 2023. It was just such a cool build!”
Alicia Gamboa, Photographer/Media
Spool Solutions
“I grew up loving to work with my hands, learning about the inner workings of practically any device. I took a class in Small Engines & Power that introduced basic concepts. Years later, I joined a motorsports club my freshman year at Purdue University, but it wasn’t until I attended a female outreach program from Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), that I genuinely realized, ‘I can do this.’ I met women who worked in motorsports doing everything from catering to sitting in the driver seat, and I had an epiphany that there actually was a place for me!
“It took a lot of reaching out, but then I found the opportunity at Pikes Peak.
Working Pikes Peak was one of the best experiences of my life and I cannot thank Thunder Bunny Racing enough for experiencing this culture firsthand. And thanks to Alex Urban at PPIHC and everyone at WIMNA for showing me the reward of fighting for my motorsports passion.
“I was the only female in my motorsports club for over two years, and fortunately after becoming president and working on outreach, my team and I have changed this. I don’t want anyone to feel like there isn’t a spot for them in motorsports or that it’s too late to learn. I want to become the encouragement that I was fortunate to have.”
Charlotte Land, 2024 Crew Member for Laura Hayes
Photography: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Joshua Hardin, Charlotte Land, Laura Ethridge, Alyssa Bush, Alicia Gamboa, Diane Mulnix, PPIHC Archives
