Get To Know Davon Culley

Why did you start running?
I started running in high school because I wasn't good enough to play varsity baseball. I was fast so I figured I'd give track a try. 

What music do you listen to while running? Why?
 I have never listened to music. I like being able to hear what's going on around me. When it's quiet and you can only hear your feet and yourself breathing, it's super peaceful and relaxing. 

What do you think about if you don’t run with music?
I think about everything. Good and bad. Long runs are where I work out most of my problems.
 
What is your most memorable race? Why?
I would say my most memorable race was my first marathon. New York City in 2006. I never thought I would ever be able to finish a marathon. EVER!!! When I came off the 59th St Bridge and hit mile 16, I was done. Lol. I thought there was no way I would be able to run 10 more miles. But I found a way. That race showed me it was possible to do something you never thought you could. Life changer. 

What was your least memorable? Why?
Least memorable was Rock N Roll Raleigh Marathon in 2014. Inaugural race. Super hot day. Aid stations too far apart. Just a miserable experience all around. Only reason I finished was because I came across a medical tent before I could find a police officer to take me to the finish. Smh 

What advice would you give to new runners?
Keep on running. No matter how far you run that first day, get back out there and run again. Just keep getting up & running. It gets easier, I promise. Lol 

Who would you like to go on a run with?
I would love to run a 100m race against Usain Bolt. 

Who are your favorite athletes?
Zlatan Ibrahimović and Venus Williams 

What do you admire about them?
I love Zlatan because besides being incredibly talented, I find him hilarious. He talks a lot of trash but he usually backs it up. I love Venus because she's quiet and graceful yet powerful at the same time. 

What artist would you go on tour with?
Jay-Z 

Who would play you in a movie? Why?
Don Cheadle. Because he's underrated yet super talented. 

What’s your favorite movie?
Coming To America.

What’s your favorite running route?
Running along the water in Long Island City/Roosevelt Island. The views of the Manhattan skyline are amazing, specially at night. 

Share an embarrassing running story?
One day in high school at practice we were doing relays. My school didn't have a track so we practiced inside the school on the 1st floor. The school was basically a big square so if you had one person on each side, it was similar to a normal relay. On this day, the girls softball team came down to watch us. Lemme tell you, we ran like it was The Olympics when the girls could see us. When we were out of their sight, we straight up walked to save our energy for when we ran in front of them. 

Favorite social media:
Black Runners Connection on Facebook. To see so many minority runners from around the world who have the same passion for running is pretty motivating. 

Favorite sports movie?
Rocky IV.  It's so 80s over the top and has classic lines for days. 

What is the last book you read?
The Mueller Report. 

What are your pre-race rituals?
Warmup run, stretch then get lost in my head to focus on what I'm trying to do for that race. 

How has running changed you?
Running has given me more confidence and helped me to connect with so many people I most likely would never have interacted with.
 
What sneakers do you run with? Why?
I run in Hokas because I have flat feet & love the support in their kicks. 

What is the last movie you saw?
Avengers Endgame, but Infinity War was better. Just saying. 

What race are you looking forward to?
The Speed Project.  The challenge of running from Santa Monica to Las Vegas is both insane & fascinating. 

Do you have a running mantra?
One step at a time.
 
What is your guilty pleasure on cheat day?
Chewy Chips Ahoy, the entire package. Lol

What is your dream running vacation?
Don't really have one. 

What was your first race? What do you remember about it?
Run for the Parks 4 Miler in 1997. I remember seeing an ad for the race and thinking it would be cool to do it. Bib pickup was at Niketown. That's about all I remember. 

Favorite race: mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultra?
Half marathons are my favorite. You feel like you ran a good amount and it doesn't fell like death afterwards!!!

Finish these sentences:
 If a runner wants to break the ice with me they should ask about....anything running or comic book related. 
 Running has....given me more happiness & fulfillment than I ever expected. 
 My crazy dream is to....be the oldest person running at any race I do. Because that means I'd still be here doing what I love to do.