LAKE PLACID — USA Luge has announced the seventh Duluth Trading Company USA Luge Running of the Balls fundraiser, an initiative to help support the team’s athletes and programs.

The event will air on the organization’s website (www.usaluge.org) on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.

The 2022 “race” will be held against the backdrop of the Beijing Winter Games.

“This has become a really great fun event for the fans and for us at USA Luge,” USA Luge Director of Marketing and Sponsorships Gordy Sheer said in a statement. “Now we’ll do it again for the seventh time, with the goal of raising over $45,000. With the Olympic Games in Beijing going on, this funding will begin our drive to the Games in 2026. Our teams will be training and competing non-stop over the next four years, so our financial need is ongoing. Money raised will help defray those costs.”

Over 1,000 lacrosse balls will negotiate the nearly one-mile course down Mount Van Hoevenberg. 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 this race that benefits USA Luge. Cash and prizes from Duluth Trading Company, the Official Off-Sled Outfitter to USA Luge, 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 state Olympic Sports Complex sliding track simultaneously with the yellow and white.

The top 10 balls, plus the last place ball will win prizes to be added soon. Cash prizes are as follows: first place will receive $1,000, second will receive $500, third will recieve $300, fourth will receive $200 and fifth will receive $100. Prizes for places 6 through 10 will be announced at a later date. 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 Feb. 16 webcast. As sponsor contributions grow, the prize package will increase accordingly.

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.

All sales will conclude on Feb. 15 at 12 p.m.

Participants can purchase balls by logging on to: https://go.teamusa.org/3efwB1d.