Students, peers and friends paid special tribute to a Tamaqua Area High School teacher on Saturday.

The second annual "Supurban" 5K Run and Fun Walk was held at the high school stadium in memory of Thelma Urban, a language arts teacher who died unexpectedly in June 2015 at age 40 from a heart attack.Organizers named the event in recognition of the fact that so many people considered her a "super" teacher.Many who participated in the event wore the attire of superheroes. Even Thelma's children, Sean, 7, and Violet, 4, were dressed as Spider-Man and Supergirl, respectively. Both obviously enjoyed themselves at the race, making at least a half dozen laps of the stadium track.Thelma's husband, Mike, a Coaldale native who now lives in Berks County, ran the 5K course through part of Tamaqua and won a third-place medal in his age group.Ryan Miorelli of Tamaqua was dressed as Luke Skywalker from "Star Wars." With him was his girlfriend, Bekah Platzer of State College, who wore a Princess Leia costume, also from "Star Wars."Miorelli was one of many people who recall the effect that Thelma had on their lives."I had Thelma in school for creative writing," he said, noting that he works as a freelance writer. "She made me realize I love writing, and now I write all the time."Miorelli and Platzer look so much like a young Skywalker and Princess Leia that they often visit children's hospitals and other locations dressed as the "Star Wars" characters.Mike Urban was obviously touched by the turnout. Despite chilly weather and cloudy skies - and the threat of rain - nearly 60 people took part in the races.He said, "A lot of people told me Thelma brought out the best in them. This kind of shows it. I really appreciate everybody doing this. It's really special to us."Thelma always knew Tamaqua was a great place with a lot of great people," he said. "This kind of proves that."Brianna Heck is a graduate of Tamaqua High School and is now a student at Lehigh Carbon Community College. She returned to the event as a volunteer and did face painting of young children."I had Mrs. Urban as an English teacher in ninth grade," Heck said.Also present were Mike Urban's parents, Robert "Bob" and Mary Urban. Robert is the former editor of the Times News. They now live in Berks County."It's heartwarming that so many people turned out for it; that they remember how good (Thelma) was and how she touched so many lives," Robert said.He said, "Her students and the faculty at Tamaqua have been so supportive since she went away. It's hard to put into words."Roseann Weinrich, race coordinator, said this is the second year for Supurban."Last year we ran on a cross-country course, which was difficult," she said, adding that the course was changed this year to go through the community as a result of assistance from the borough police department and fire police.The event was put together by a committee consisting of Weinrich, Emily Zancofsky, Kyle Weaver, Emily Bumbulsky, Kayla Hope, Jacqueline McMullen, Amber Heffelfinger and Jordan Reabold."The kids had Thelma when they were in high school and were affected by her positivity and her inner light," Weinrich said. "When we lost her suddenly, we wanted to do something. This is a day to remember her."The disc jockey for the event was Hoyt Gyuricsek, a former student who volunteered his service.Proceeds from the event go toward a scholarship fund for the Urban children and a scholarship for a Tamaqua student pursuing a career in journalism.The overall male winner in the 5K run was Quin Davis of Pottstown, a friend of Mike Urban's who came to the event to support the family.The female overall winner was Kailee Carroll, a Tamaqua Area High School student.Winners5K run• Overall male: Quin Davis.• Overall female: Kailee Carroll• Age 13 and under, male: 1. Nicholas Zoltack, 2. Chase Rehrig.• Age 13 and under, female: 1 Francess Kabana, 2. Madelyn Jones, 3. Isabella Jones.• Age 14-18, male: 1. Christopher Osenbach, 2. Cameron Markovitch, 3. Daylon Barron;• Age 14-18, female: 1. Sarah Maue, 2. Nicola Wasserleben, 3. April Gerber.• Age 19-24, male: 1. Jordynn Fatzinger, 2. Kyle Weaver, 3. Zach Wargula;• Age 19-24, female: 1. Jordan Reabold, 2. Emily Bumbulsky, 3. Kayla Hope.• Age 25-29, male: 1. Matt Nojiri, 2. Jim Bumbulsky, 3. Matt Candoff;• Age 25-29, female: 1. Gina Manbeck, 2. Siobhan O'Conner, 3. Adrian Bumbulsky.• Ages 30-34, male: 1. Nick Reichart, 2. Andrew Smink;• Ages 30-34, female: 1. Edna Hallick, Salorma, 2. Nicole Zoltack, 3. Desiree Eltringham.• Ages 35-39, male: 1. Chris Polansky, 2. Kyle Faust.• Ages 35-39, female: 1. Jennifer Paisley.• Ages 40-44, male: 1. Bob Musrovitch, 2. David Rehrig;• Ages 40-44, female: 1. Rosalee Rehrig.• Ages 45-49, male: 1. Russell Davis, 2. Mike Hromyak, 3. Mike Urban.• Ages 60 and over, female: 1. Roseann Weinrich.