PPIHC PRESENTS GRIFFIN SAULSBURY WITH 2025 RISING TO THE OCCASION AWARD IN MEMORY OF HARRY MARTIN
Colorado Springs, CO — It isn’t often someone as dedicated as Harry Martin steps up to volunteer. It’s more of a rarity for someone to continue to volunteer for decades. Harry not only served the PPIHC as an eager and dependable volunteer, but he did it with a huge smile on his face, making everyone he met feel welcome.
Harry’s wife of nearly 50 years, Marianne, wanted to honor a PPIHC volunteer who displayed the same spirit. She collaborated with the PPIHC to establish the Harry Martin Rising to the Occasion Award. Eligibility criteria was simple – event volunteers would submit nominations, recommending others for the award, based on interactions they witnessed.
CONGRATULATIONS GRIFFIN SAULSBURY
Griffin Saulsbury, a recent high school graduate, received a remarkable three nominations from fellow volunteers for this year’s award.
Marianne Martin presented Saulsbury with a custom award naming him the 2025 Rising to the Occasion winner, $100 in cash, and fittingly a Culver’s gift card. Harry’s favorite spot to grab a bite, especially custard, was Culver’s.
One thing Griffin and Harry had in common was a love of skiing. Harry helped build the first chairlift at Arapahoe Basin while Griffin has been skiing for 17 years. He first stood on a snowboard at one year old!
“To be a part of this world-renowned event is a special feeling. It’s pretty meaningful to see everyone enjoying the race and knowing you played a part in it.”
Griffin Saulsbury
BRAVING THE STORM
Volunteers who worked with and observed him on the mountain submitted nominations describing his dedication to the role.
“On the evening of Saturday, June 21, a sudden and violent windstorm struck the Glen Cove campsite. As part of the team, Griffin was fully engaged in the collective effort to secure the site. Together, we worked to stabilize equipment, remove hazards, patrol the area, and clear debris from the road — all under rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.”
“Throughout this challenging situation, Griffin demonstrated professionalism, strong situational awareness, and a steady presence that helped keep the team focused. He remained calm and fully committed from start to finish.”
“Outside of storm response, Griffin was a key asset to the team. He consistently stood out for his clear and timely radio communications, often the first to respond and always keeping things running smoothly. His actions reflect the highest standards of teamwork and professionalism.”
Q&A
First time you experienced the PPIHC: “My dad had been going to the race for a few years. Volunteering this year was a new experience for me, and doing it with my dad was really special, too.”
Volunteer Roles: “I graduated in May from Manitou Springs High School. I was really involved in anything STEM, including Robotics. I also love being outdoors and helping with mountain bike trail building and the Fountain Creek clean up.”
“On Pikes Peak this year, I was volunteering on the mountain from Saturday afternoon through the race on Sunday.”
Education: “I’m entering CU Boulder this year to study Engineering.”
What do you drive? “A 2001 Audi TT”
Favorite moment from this year’s race: “Watching that yellow Porsche ST coming around the corner at Glen Cove was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.”
ABOUT HARRY MARTIN – A VOLUNTEER AT HEART
Don Sanborn, current president of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association described Harry Martin and his passion for the race. “Aside from his family and friends, Harry’s greatest love was always the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He volunteered in various capacities with the Hill Climb as long as I knew him. What always impressed me about Harry is that no job or position was too large or too small. He loved the race so much that, even if he didn’t have a specified volunteer role, he would just look for things that needed to be done and take care of them. I loved the fact that you could rely on him to be ready to jump in and help wherever a need arose, and you could also count on the job getting done right.”
Martin began his involvement as a volunteer on Pikes Peak back in the early 1960s as a crew member for stock car driver, Nick Sanborn, but it didn’t stop there. He continued to step in anywhere he was needed, always with his signature grin. Whether he was working the press room, answering phones in the office, staging cars in the museum, or serving burgers at the officials appreciation barbeque, Martin could be counted on to show up in a big way. And he did, year after year, decade after decade. He was often a familiar sight at the Start Line, after the race, waving to fans as they left the mountain, saying ‘thanks for coming’ and ‘see you next year.
