MileSplit SC talks with Spartanburg Vikings senior Elloree Flippin ahead of the 2025 Shrine Bowl Run - including her connection to the Shriners Hospital.
"Shriners Hospital for Children gives amazing care to children with orthopedic conditions and injuries. It is an honor to have Spartanburg High School to host the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas football game, as well as to have Elloree Flippin selected as a member of the Shrine Bowl Run Team. Elloree has made a significant impact in the 18 months she has been with the Spartanburg High School cross country and track programs. Her great talent and competitiveness, combined with hard work and discipline, have made not only her, but every runner on our team better." - Jack Todd, Spartanburg coach
How would you describe your cross country season at Spartanburg High School as your senior year concluded?
In three words, it was surprising, memorable, and fulfilling. I am so blessed to call all the girls on the team my teammates. Getting to watch each of them work hard at practice and see the tangible result of their effort at races has been so encouraging.
What were some of the most memorable races or moments for you?
McAlpine Park has my heart, and it did not disappoint this year. The Wendy's Invitational was such a fun race, and our team did incredible! I remember my favorite races by how well our cooldown went, and running those trails after the race was a highlight of my year!
How has being part of the Spartanburg High cross country program shaped you as an athlete and person?At Spartanburg the emphasis is on more than just running, it's on developing strong character and drive in students. Coach Todd has served the school diligently for many years, and I have seen first hand how the lessons he instills in us play out during our season.
Who has been part of your support system throughout your running journey, both on and off the course?
My parents, of course, have been by my side the entire time and I will never be able to thank them enough for what they do for our family. I would also thank my best friend Emma, who taught me what it is like to truly love running for its own sake; my siblings, who deal with my incessant chatting (among other things ;); and my favorite running buddy Ensley, my pride and joy, and who I want to be when I grow up!
You were once a patient at Shriners Children's Hospital. Can you share what brought you there and what that experience was like for you?
I was born with a severe case of metatarsus adductus, which is a deformity in the arch of the foot. As an infant I had double casting, followed by three years in structured shoes to correct my arches. In 2010, after we had moved back to South Carolina from Colorado, the Shriners Children's hospital became our primary provider for follow-up concerning my feet. Though I do not remember much of my treatment, last year I went back to Shriners hospital for issues I had after rolling my ankle. We were surprised to find that I had a bone bridge in my left ankle, connecting the ball to the socket, and a torn ligament in the same foot. Thankfully, these issues have not given me any trouble since. I wilI never forget the care I received from the physicians and staff at Shriners. I have never felt more comfortable in a hospital than I did at Shriners, every person we met was welcoming and made us feel so at home for the hours that we spent there. As a children's hospital that serves many patients with long term conditions, the hospital has done a fantastic job of cultivating a welcoming, calm environment for patients and families.
What role did Shriners Children's Hospital play for you in your drive with the sport and life?
Well, first and foremost I have the ability to walk and run without any issues! I certainly take my health for granted every day, but with every sport comes a risk of being injured. In endurance sports, those risks can be unforeseen and affect an entire season's outcome. Shriners Hospital has given my family the peace of mind that in whatever situation, professional, consistent care is available close to home.
Flippin family photo
What does it mean to you personally to now give back through the Shrine Bowl Run?
It is such an honor to get to be a part of the team running the relay and it feels very much like a full circle moment. It is by God's grace that I can even walk properly today, and it blows my mind that he gave me the ability to compete at this level! I hope that He will use our team as a light to the children at Shriners Children's hospital this Christmas season.
The Shrine Bowl Run is a relay that brings together senior cross country runners from across South Carolina. What does it mean to you to be part of that group and share this experience with athletes from around the state?
It is a thrill to take part in this unique event! I have raced these girls so many times over the past four years, and sometimes we are very competitive. I am happy that we have a chance to get to know each other off the course. I'm especially excited to get to know some of my future teammates!
How do you hope your participation in the Shrine Bowl Run impacts other patients or young athletes?
Again, I hope that the whole team can be a light to Shriners Children's hospital, and that my experience is encouraging to those in similar situations!
What goals do you have for the remainder of your high school running career?
Although I have a few personal goals for the upcoming season, over the years I have learned that success is not linear and banking an entire season on a specific time can lead to a very stressful semester. My biggest hope is that I continue to love the process as much as the end result and enjoy these last few months of high school running!
Elloree Flippin on the course during the 2025 Eye Opener. Photo by Andrew Brown
Looking beyond high school, what are your future academic and athletic plans?
I am excited to continue my undergraduate education at Anderson University next year while I run for the Trojans. I am studying political science and international policy in the hopes of pursuing a degree in law. After college I want to keep racing, but switch it up and attempt Hyrox!
What lessons from your time as a patient and as a runner will stay with you moving forward?
Nothing is guaranteed, and while hard work does produce short term results, consistency maintains good health long term. Especially when considering the risk of injuries in endurance sports, the most important goals are consistency in training and dedication to rest and recovery.
What advice would you give to other young athletes who may be facing health challenges or setbacks?Again, learning consistency is the key to long term strength and health. The answer is not always to run through the pain, because in the process you may forget why you loved running in the first place, and that may be the most damaging injury. Failure, in some capacity, is inevitable, but success is not truly understood without the failure that came before it. Your greatest success will come after your hardest climb!
What other hobbies do you have?
I love to paint at the beach (not on the beach just nearby), bake complicated recipes, test my speed at triathlons, and travel with my friends and family.
