Opening Ceremony Highlights: The Local Girl with a Big Voice

The inaugural Geist Half Marathon opened with an amazing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” sung by a Noblesville Middle School student who is already well on her way to a big singing career.

At age 14, Brooke Roe has performed the National Anthem over 30 times at various sporting events, including at the start of Pacers, Fever, Indianapolis Indians and Indiana Ice games.

“My dad says I’ve been singing since I was old enough to talk,” said Brooke, who confidently sang out the familiar melody in the chilly morning air.

Next up was Indiana’s First Lady, Cheri Daniels, who officially started the first Geist Half Marathon race with a wave of the green “go” flag. Christie Love, executive director of the Lawrence School Foundation, started the 5K race, with her baby in a stroller nearby.

The Lawrence School Foundation, along with the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation, are the beneficiaries of the race, with proceeds going toward health and fitness initiatives at local schools.