9th Annual Running of the Balls
Presented by CoolSeal USA and Casella
***NEW! ENTER MOJO BALLS RACE TO WIN CASH AND MOJO NIXON BOXED SET****
USA Luge has announced the ninth USA Luge Running of the Balls (ROTB9) fundraiser, a fun and exciting initiative to help support the team’s athletes and programs. The event will air on the organization’s website (www.usaluge.org) on April 7th, 2024, the day after the Norton Youth National Championships. All sales will conclude on Thursday, April 4th at 12PM ET.
“USA Luge is very excited to announce the ninth edition of the Running of the Balls. This marks the first event in Lake Placid since the passing of Dmitry Feld, who was key to making this fundraiser the success that it has become,” said Gordy Sheer, USA Luge Director of Marketing and Sponsorships. “We hope to raise over $40,000 this year. 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. We will carry Dmitry’s spirit with us for this and all future events.”
1,532 lacrosse balls will negotiate the nearly one-mile course down the Olympic Sports Complex luge track in Lake Placid. The lacrosse balls were donated by Summit Lacrosse Ventures.
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. The blue ball winner will win a trip to the World Championship event in Whistler, British Columbia in January 2025, including airfare, lodging and ground transportation. This is all courtesy of Bucket List Events. 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.
Another race within a race has also been created for the 2024 edition. This one celebrates 1998 honorary team captain Mojo Nixon, who passed away on February 7th. Mojo was a was an accomplished musician, actor, DJ, commentator, and possessor of the spirit of rock-n-roll. He also wrote, played, and sang on the Luge Team Song, along with members of the 1998 Olympic doubles team.
The song, recorded weeks before the 1998 Olympics, contained the lyric “The USA’s medal drought will soon be over now that Captain Mojo has done took over”. Nixon proved to be right, as the United States took silver and bronze in doubles at the Nagano Olympics, the first in the nation’s history.
98 Mojo Balls will enter the race. The winner will receive $250 plus a 10 CD and bonus DVD box set, courtesy of Mojo’s longtime manager Scott “Bullethead” Reilly.
The top 10 balls, plus the last place ball will win:
1) $1,000 + Traveler's Choice Luggage Trunk
2) $500 + Traveler's Choice Luggage Set
3) $300 + Karbon National Team rain poncho
4) $200 + HyperIce high intensity vibrating fitness ball
5) $100 + Karbon USA Luge branded insulated vest and t-shirt (size M)
6) 2023-24 Norton National Team podium hat set plus USA Luge umbrella
7) 2023-24 Norton National Team podium hat set
8) USA Luge T-Shirt & Beer Glass
9) Dermatone sunscreen kit & USA Luge Sticker
10) USANA Whole Body Health Plus Energy and Sleep pack Last place, USA Luge umbrella
Presenting sponsors: CoolSeal USA, Casella
Bronze level sponsors: Golden Arrow Hotel, Grand Adirondack Hotel, Lake Placid Family Dental, High Peaks Ford, The UPS Store Lake Placid
Friends: Burnham Benefit Advisors, Cambria Hotel Lake Placid, Dermatone
Entries have closed, with 1,532 total balls sold. Tune in to www.usaluge.org for the 2024 Running of the balls video on April 7th. In the meantime, relive the 2023 Running of the Balls. May the best balls win!