PHILLIP GARY SMITH

Phillip Gary Smith published his first novel (hardcover/Kindle) in April 2025, "Tuscobia In You Mind." The story is compelling, with the challenges and dangers the ultra winter distance runners must face. It is a journey that reawakens the history of Tuscobia, but brings it into these modern times. Yes, participants in these winter ultra-distance runs are responsible for their own safety. The aid stations are few and far between. Temperatures can, and do, plummet into dangerous lows. The best aid for runners is each other. (audiobook version should be available by November 1, 2025)

Phillip Gary Smith authored "Ultra Superior," the original book on the Superior Trail Ultra Race Events, then wrote "HARMONIZING: Keys to Living in the Song of Life" from his personal life experiences. Some of the most coveted, never previously published recipes from the mountains of Tennessee are in HARMONIZING: Keys like, for example, "Cadillac Banana Pudding."

Discovering the accomplishment of ultra-athlete Roberto Marron led to the story "The 300-Mile Man: Roberto Marron Doubles Tuscobia's Winter Ultra 150." Phillip followed this account with "300-Mile Man: Triple Crown Edition," which expands the Marron Double, along with explaining the Order of the Hrimthurs with other first-hand accounts of these difficult endurance events in the middle of a northern winter. He has published numerous articles on the Tuscobia Winter Ultras, Arrowhead 135, and Actif Epica (The big 3 of the sport) for Snowshoe Magazine. One may access those for free by searching Snowshoe Magazine with his full name, Phillip Gary Smith.

In 2018, he published "The Eclectic 18: Maniacs on a Mission," featuring essays and articles that chronicled automotive sports and the media coverage surrounding them, alongside contributions from top names in books, movies, and business life. And relating them to life lessons. Learn the motivations of these champions and how you can apply them to your circumstances.

In November 2019, he brought to life "Saving Lolita," which contains "Phillip's 66: Steps to Safeguard Your Girls, Boys, Family, and Self."

His involvements include:

Senior Writer at Synergy/Performance Medicine Magazine

Senior Editor at Snowshoe Magazine

Former Senior Writer for the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) and the World Snowshoe Federation (WSSF)

Social Media Project Manager at Geiger Media Global

Phillip is the country's most prolific snowshoe writer, featured in the New York Times, magazines, and newspapers.

He is a Founding Board Member of the Upper Midwest Trail Runners (UMTR). Phillip created several Ultra Trail Race Series, like the Fab 5 Fifties and the Gnarly Bandit Ultra Series, co-founding the Braveheart Snowshoe Series along with creating the concept of UMTR's Trail Person and Trail Runner of the Year awards.

He is a co-founder of OakTree Films, LLC, and wrote the script for the feature film "Tuscobia the Movie" in preproduction.

Phillip graduated from the University of Tennessee Magna Cum Laude in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. He served as a USAF Officer after completing ROTC.

"Phillip Gary Smith did the unthinkable--looking like a castaway, but he had done it--ran the entire, ungroomed snow-covered 50 km footrace in snowshoes!" Wynn Davis, Creator, Chippewa Moraine 50km Ultra Trail Race.