Today's Article

"Nothing about raising Olivia is like 3expected." 

Her mom, Angel Hawes, says she was walking at eight months and running before she turned one. 

"She is like out there smiling, excited to run. And you see pictures from 4race days, she's all smiles." 

Olivia's parents began to understand the 5task of training an athletic 6toddler and entered Olivia into the Virginia Commonwealth Games at 18 months old. 

"They had never had someone under like, five, compete in the Virginia Commonwealth Games and so we took her to that and she loved it. And the 7crowd 8ate it up. Like halfway through the 50 meters, the crowd went 9insane because I don't think they expected her to actually do it." 

After the Commonwealth Games, Olivia's parents knew this was more than just a hobby. 

"If she's doing this at 1, obviously, she's going to be in the Olympics. And they were like, oh 'Olympic Olivia'. And then that's it, it 10stuck."

Olympic Olivia finished her 60th race by the time she turned 3.

"Her time has crazy 11improved. Her first 5K was an hour and 10 minutes, and then her last one, this past week, was under 38 minutes. She loves those 5K medals and the glory of finishing and the crowd 12cheering for her. She 13loses it. It's so cute." 

"Do you want to go into the Olympics?" 

"Yes."

"My husband likes to remind me that that dream can only 14come true with mine and his 15dedication. For her, for many years to come, running must 16remain joy. Running must remain fun."