Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:1631 Mesa Ave.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Our Sports Superfan Says:
Pikes Peak, the famous mountain in the Rockies, is home of one of the most unique auto races in the world. Every July, 150 or so competitors race to the top of the mountain in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The race, also known as "The Race to the Clouds," has 10 auto classes and 10 motorcycle classes. It is always run in July, although in recent years the race date has been moved from its traditional July 4th date.
The event has been going on since 1916, and takes place on a very challenging course. The total length of the track measures just less than 12.5 miles, but climbs almost 5,000 vertical feet, with 156 turns on a 7% average grade. The fastest time on the mountain was set in 2007 by Nobuhiro Tajima, who made his run in 10:01.408. The PPIHC was captured on film by French director Jean-Louis Mourey in 1988, in the famous short film "Climb Dance," which won four awards in 1990.
In addition to race day, there are qualifying runs, fan festivals, and other activities the week of the race. There are hotels, affiliated with the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which offer packages for the week. Alternatively, you can also camp on the mountain the night before the race for a small fee, on a first-come first-serve basis.
Pikes Peak is 10 miles west of Colorado Springs, and is a three hour drive from Denver.