More than 300 runners beat feet at Bridgeport Marketplace in Valencia during the second annual Mardi Gras 5K Race and Mini-Madness Run to benefit a running club for teens Sunday.

“The run is to raise money for youth in Santa Clarita to train for the L.A. Marathon,” event official Sharlene Duzick said.

And raise money the event did, as by 10 a.m., $13,500 had been collected through the $35 registration fees paid by 325 runners and other forms of donation, Duzick said.

The race was sponsored by the Santa Clarita Track Club’s Students Off and Running, or SOAR, an organization that helps youth learn discipline through training for and completing a marathon, Duzick said.

Most runners took part in a 5K run at 8 a.m., but there was also a one kilometer run, or Mini Madness Run, for young children.

SOAR is geared toward teens between 14 and 18, and runners who finish a full 26.2-mile marathon become part of a very select group of athletes, Duzick said.

“There’s only a small percentage of people who have completed a marathon,” she said. “The sense of accomplishment is amazing.”

SOAR members Julia De La Torre and Jacqueline Medina, both 17, eagerly anticipate competing in the March 18 L.A. Marathon, they said. The friends joined SOAR in October as an attempt to live healthier lives.

“The marathon will be a challenge, but I know I can do it,” De La Torre said. “It feels good to see all these people here today supporting us.”

De La Torre and Medina have each run two half-marathons, but have yet to attempt a full marathon, they said.

“It’s going to be wild, but I know with this training I can finish it,” Medina said.

In keeping with the event’s Mardi Gras theme, De La Torre and Medina placed beaded necklaces around the necks of runners crossing the finish line.

In addition to the registration fee, money was also raised for SOAR by 20 local businesses, including Farms Fresh To You.

“Farms Fresh To You is a CSA, or community-supported agriculture, that gets quality food from local farms,” sales manager Rudolph Gonzalez said. “We’re happy to be here and represent the people who are running. It’s in line with the healthy lifestyle we believe in.” 

SOAR establishes running groups at SCV schools and puts teens through a seven-month training program led by school staff or community members, the organization’s web site said.

Runners start the course running one mile the first week, with the distance is gradually increased until they’re ready for a full 26.2-marathon, the website said.

“It was an amazing event, and we’re very happy with the outcome,” Duzick said. “It was absolutely successful.”

Money raised Sunday will pay registration fees for a 10K race and two 5K races the runners will compete in before taking part in the L.A. Marathon, Duzick said.  

“The marathon itself does sponsor of portion of their entry,” she said.

For more information, visit soar_sc.org