Julie Culley is a 2004 graduate of Rutgers University, where she was an All-American cross country runner, thanks to a 32nd place finish at the 2002 NCAA Cross Country Championships. More recently, she finished second at the 2007 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, two seconds behind winner Delilah DiCrescenzo. Culley holds PRs of 2:10 (800m), 4:17.5 (1,500m), and 16:00.5 (5,000m). She is originally from North Hunterdon, New Jersey, and currently lives and trains in Virginia.

When did you get into running? Did you run throughout high school?
I started running when I was a freshman in high school. It was a suggestion from my traveling soccer team coach. He said I should try running distance because I was a midfielder and he never had to pull me off the field because I never got tired. I ran just outdoor track my freshman and sophomore years (and played varsity soccer in the fall). Junior year, I tried cross country… I became a state champ that fall and was fourth at New Jersey Meet of Champions. Senior year I ran cross country, indoors (partially before a stress fracture) and outdoors. That outdoor season my distance medley team ran 12:05 and we became All-Americans. I never trained in the summers. I started running the week before practice started in August. Cross country was my favorite for sure.

What were your college PRs?
4:33 (1,500m), 4:46 (1,600m), 9:17 (3,000m), and 16:29 (5,000m).