About the Running of the Balls

DESCRIPTION:

The Running of the Balls in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States, is an annual month-long fundraiser by Outdoor Gravity Park for charity in May and September. Teams sign up during these months to be chased downhill by a giant manned zorb. One team member rolls down a hill inside a giant transparent inflated ball called a zorb, chasing, knocking, and running over friends and family. It's like the running of the bulls without the horns and injuries, with all proceeds going to support the local food bank.

Zorbing traces its origins back to New Zealand, where entrepreneurs Dwane van der Sluis and Andrew Akers launched it as a commercial venture in 1995 after watching hamster balls. They sought a new adrenaline-charged activity that included a unique way to appreciate New Zealand's hilly landscapes.

"Zorbing" soon became the generic term for this spherical thrill ride. It involves using an inflatable, transparent, double-sectioned ball, also known as a zorb, with one ball inside the other. The air between the two balls acts as a shock absorber for the rider, cushioning them as they tumble head over heels down a hill.

The sport expanded rapidly in New Zealand, followed by international interest. By the early 2000s, zorbing locations emerged in various adventure tourism hotspots worldwide, including Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia. A water-based version called hydro-zorbing soon appeared. In this rendition, a bucket of water is added to the inner orb, creating a human washing machine experience as the rider sloshes around during the descent. Zorbing has since moved into soccer, bowling, and other sports, with comedic results.

The Guinness World Records acknowledged zorbing's popularity in 2006 by noting the longest Zorb ride ever recorded. Steve Camp of Canada rolled down a hill in a zorb for an impressive 570 meters (1,870 ft).