Join USA Luge’s eighth annual fundraiser ‘Running of the Balls’

Buy balls that will roll down the Luge track for the USA Luge fundraiser Running with the Balls. Photo: courtesy of USA Luge

LAKE PLACID, NY — USA Luge has announced its eighth annual Running of the Balls fundraiser, an initiative to help support the team’s athletes and programs.

Park City’s Utah Olympic Park Luge track is the second and only other track in the United States. Running of the Balls benefits the homegrown sliders in the Wasatch Luge Club, as well as partnering for after school luge with the Youth Sports Alliance (YSA).

The event will air on the organization’s website (www.usaluge.org) on March 10, at 12 p.m. EST.

All sales will conclude on Tuesday, March 7, at 12 p.m. EST.

“The sound of lacrosse balls thundering down the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid has become a regular part of the luge season,” Gordy Sheer, USA Luge director of marketing and sponsorships, said in a statement. “We hope to raise over $40,000 with the eighth edition of the event. USA Luge does four things: we recruit, develop, train and support athletes to represent our nation at luge races around the world, including the Olympic Games. All funds raised go to support those core activities.”

Over 1,000 lacrosse balls will negotiate the nearly one-mile course down the Olympic Sports Complex luge track in Lake Placid. 

Fans will be able to participate in this unique event by entering as many balls as they’d like in the race that benefits USA Luge. Cash and prizes from USA Luge and its sponsors will be offered for the top 10 balls and the last place ball.

There will also be a race within the race as a collection of blue-colored lacrosse balls will roll down the Olympic Sports Complex sliding track simultaneously with the yellow and white. The two concurrent events have proven to be very popular.

The yellow and white balls are offered at $10 each or three for $25. The blue colored balls can be purchased at $30 each. Winners of the blue ball race will win a trip to the next domestic World Cup event, including airfare, lodging and ground transportation. Fans will be able to participate in this unique event by entering as many balls as they’d like in this two-of-a-kind race that benefits the athletes.

The top 10 balls, plus the last place ball will win:
1) $1,000 + Traveler’s Choice Luggage Set
2) $500 + Traveler’s Choice Medium Luggage (1 piece)
3) $300 + Traveler’s Choice Roll Aboard Luggage (1 piece)
4) $200 + Karbon Lightweight Jacket
5) $100 + USA Luge / US Venture Hat
6) USA Luge T-Shirt & Beer Glass
7) USA Luge Beer Glass
8) USA Luge Wine Glass
9) Insulated Socks & USA Luge Sticker
10) Insulated Socks
Last place, USA Luge Beer Glass

The blue ball winner will receive a trip to the next domestic World Cup event.

All winners of both races will be announced during the March 10 webcast.

As sponsor contributions grow, the prize package will increase accordingly.