Science teacher and coach Michael Coughlin (rear) organized the running club at Somerville’s Alfred F. Argenziano School just in time to run the Super Hero Race Oct. 27 with Maria Ortega (in white), Ivy Richardson (masked) and Isabella Ferrari (caped).

There was a kilted science teacher, a caped crusader and even a masked marvel all from Argenziano School in Somerville who were running to raise money for local non-profit On The Rise Inc., in the Fifth Annual Super Hero 5K Run/Walk in Cambridge on Oct. 27.

“It was fun,” said Isabella Ferrari, 13, of Somerville who wore her dragon embossed cape and finished the five-kilometer course in about 40 minutes. She ran with her science teacher Michael Coughlin, who started the school-based club this fall, her younger brother, Alessandro and about a handful of fellow students. “It was my first road race.”

The Somerville youngsters were just some of about 1,000 runners from around the Boston metropolitan area to participate in the Super Hero event organized by HAVE2RUN Productions that benefits On The Rise, a day program for homeless women.

The organization, based in a classic Victorian at 341 Broadway, Cambridge, offers women a sanctuary where they can meet life’s daily necessities; find nutritious meals, seasonal clothing, a safe place to sit or shower, a place to receive mail. It also offers a place where women can forge relationships and a sense of community and find the resources they need to move out of homelessness.

“At On The Rise we see the women in our programs taking on huge challenges so the Super Hero theme of this road race really resonates,” said Martha Sandler, executive director of the organization. “Emma’s whole group and all the runners who enter are superheroes already, for helping to raise the funds that make the work of On The Rise possible.”

Dozens of runners were from Somerville, and they performed well in the race; Theresa Fritz-Endres, was the top female runner finishing with a time of 19:21 while Somerville residents Jasper Groner (a King) and Alexandra Weisman (Tigger) scored in the costume category, receiving trophies for their efforts.

“This was our biggest event to date,” said Race Director Emma Bagnell, of Have2Run Productions. “We were registering people up to the starting time this morning.”

Isabella Ferrari, Somerville, who finished the race in about 40 minutes stands with her running coach Michael Coughlin (Cambridge), her younger brother Alessandro and her father.

In addition to bragging rights; the best male time posted was 16:55, the best women’s time was just a few steps slower at 19:21; race entrants indulged their creative sides in the annual contest. There are cash prizes for costumes in each of five categories: best male costume, best female costume, best hero versus villain and two team categories; best Fantastic Four and best Magnificent Seven.

The staff of On The Rise manned the information and refreshment tables at the race, helped with the judging and one or two even ran.

“Running around in a costume, especially during Halloween, has the added bonus of making the race just plain fun!” Sandler was one of this year’s costume judges.