Several Tamaqua Area High School students, recent graduates and teacher Roseann Weinrich attended Tuesday night's meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council, intent on remembering a friend and inspiration.

The group was looking for permission to hold a Supurban 5K Race/Walk on Oct. 17 in memory of Thelma Urban, a popular language arts teacher who died unexpectedly June 22 at the age of 40.The students said the event will begin at the Tamaqua Area Sports Stadium at 9 a.m. The race route would require shutting down traffic on Stadium Hill, South Lehigh, Arlington and Broad streets for approximately one hour that morning. Runners would exit the stadium, travel down Stadium Hill, go east on Broad Street to Laurel Street, then turn south to Arlington Street. After heading west on Arlington, racers would use Greenwood Street to go back to Broad Street and reverse the course, ending in the stadium.The course caused some concern about traffic on Broad Street, as it is a state highway. Closing it to traffic, even for one hour, will require permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.There was some discussion about the timing and if more than one hour would be needed.Weinrich said walkers would be using the stadium and the streets would only be for those who are running. "Most runners will typically be able to complete the course in well under one hour."Proceeds of the event, which will be part of the Tamaqua Homecoming festivities, will be used to create two scholarships, one for Urban's children and the other for a graduating Tamaqua senior pursuing a career in the journalism/ language arts field.Council approved the request, with the condition that Weinrich secure the proper PennDOT permits and coordinate with Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver and the Tamaqua Fire Police.Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt will provide the PennDOT forms.