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[The 12 Olivias: How a Running Relay Team Turned Into a Lifelong Friendship]-[832. Olivia Enright, Creator of the "12 Olivias" Hood to Coast Team]

Ali on the Run Show · B2 · 2025-09-04

Sports
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📋 Summary

The 12 Olivias: A Journey of Community and Connection

In a delightful episode of the Allie on the Run show, host Allie Feller sits down with Olivia Enright, a sports marketing manager at Adidas and the mastermind behind one of the most unique running phenomena in recent years: the 12 Olivias Hood to Coast relay team.

The Origin of the "12 Olivias"

The concept began as a "shower thought" that evolved into reality. Enright, an avid runner and former competitive jump roper, wanted to see if she could assemble a team of 12 women who all shared the same name. What started as a casual curiosity in 2019 eventually gained momentum in 2022 when Enright secured a bib for the legendary Hood to Coast relay.

Recruiting was no small feat. Enright utilized social media, scouring the follower lists of running accounts like Citius Mag and Allie Feller’s own community to find women named Olivia. She managed a massive database, eventually cold-DMing over 100 women. Despite the initial skepticism from potential teammates—some of whom worried it might be a "cult" or an "MLM"—Enright successfully curated a team of 12 strangers.

Beyond the Gimmick: Building Genuine Bonds

While the team name is a gimmick, the relationships are anything but. The 12 Olivias have become a tight-knit community that extends far beyond the race. Enright notes that the teammates now support each other at major marathons like Chicago, attend each other’s weddings, and maintain active group chats, including an "Olivia Swifties" thread.

Reflecting on the logistics of the relay, Enright describes the experience of being "forced into a van with each other" for 24 hours as the ultimate icebreaker. They have developed a system for managing the team, even jokingly discussing the need for a "CEO" (Chief Executive Olivia) as the project grows into its fifth year.

Professional Life and Running Philosophy

Beyond her relay-organizing fame, Enright shares insights into her career at Adidas, where she focuses on sports marketing, global running, and athlete hospitality. She explains that her role involves creating "a home away from home" for elite athletes at major championships, such as building out hospitality spaces that allow athletes to relax and recover.

Enright also opens up about her own training for the Chicago Marathon. Despite a busy travel schedule that includes a 16-day stint in Tokyo, she finds motivation through her charity work for Project Purple, which supports pancreatic cancer research. She emphasizes that having a coach—her brother-in-law, Ryan Welsh—keeps her disciplined, even when she feels like she wants to "find examples of why I should not run."

A Legacy of Fun

Throughout the conversation, the recurring theme is the joy of running. Enright’s background as a competitive jump roper—a "party trick" she still performs at running camps—highlights her playful approach to the sport. She encourages listeners not to take running too seriously and suggests that the best way to find motivation is to "relax the minds" and perhaps start a group with "12 other people with your name."

As the episode concludes, it is clear that the 12 Olivias represent the best of what running can be: a catalyst for friendship, a reason to travel, and a way to build a community that transcends geography and social circles. Enright’s project serves as a reminder that sometimes the most "random" ideas lead to the most meaningful connections.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I might be your biggest fan.
2
Hope you've got some good stuff up your sleeves this year.
3
Oh my gosh, the pressure's on.
4
let's jump right into it
5
It's kind of like riding a bike.
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📝Key Phrases

1
jump right into it
2
up one's sleeve
3
the pressure's on
4
keep up with
5
on any given day
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Welcome to the Allie on the Run show.
I'm your host, Allie Feller, and this is where I talk with people who are doing exciting things on the run and beyond.
From professional athletes and celebrity runners to the everyday amateur and back of the pack runner.
We are here to celebrate everyone and anyone who enjoys a life on the run.
Whether you are running towards something big or away from something that's been holding you back, I am here to hold your hand and help you pick up the pace.
My guest today is Olivia Enright, sports marketing manager at Adidas.

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