Education
Culpepper graduated in 1991 from Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas.
Culpepper graduated in 1991 from Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas.
His 2:09:41 at the 2002 Chicago Marathon tied him with Alberto Salazar for the fastest ever debut marathon by an American, and remains his fastest marathon. His personal bests include 3:55.1 for the Mile, 13:25 for 5k and 27:33 in the 10K.
High school and collegiate
He went on to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, where he developed into a national-class runner. Professional
Following graduation from Colorado, Culpepper continued to live and train near Boulder.
Culpepper represented the United States. at 10,000 m at the 2001 World Championships as well.
That fall, in his debut marathon in Chicago, he ran 2:09:41. After taking 2003 off from marathons, Culpepper ran his second at the United States. Olympic Trials in Birmingham, Alabama.
Renewing his long-time rivalry with Keflezighi, Culpepper bested "Meb" in 2:11:42, with the lead changing several times in the final miles. He ran 2:11:02 to take fifth in the 2006 Boston Marathon.
(This race is featured in the documentary, SHOWDOWN – Five Elite Distance Runners, One Dream)
He finished the race, held at Flatirons Golf Course, in a time of 37:09.
He crossed the finish line of with a time of 1:07:57. He trains in Boulder County, Colorado, lives in Lafayette, Colorado and recently opened a store in Louisville, Colorado called Solepepper Sports.