Phil Gioia is recognized in the NOTC community as the driving force behind the Chalmette Track Club. Many young, developing Chalmette area runners benefited from Phil's promotion of running in St. Bernard Parish. Phil was one of the primary people keeping the Chalmette Track Club alive after the devastation suffered by that area from Hurricane Katrina. Phil is an avid runner, and has completed the last thirty-four Mardi Gras/Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathons in a row. The old record was twenty-six. Phil is recognized annually as one of very few men who have completed all the Spillway Classic Races.