His record lasted for five years until it was broken by 1947 Boston Marathon winner Suh Yun-bok.

After his wife convinced him to compete, Smith won the marathon and set a course record of 2:26:51.

[4] Smith stopped running in 1942 when he enlisted to the United States Coast Guard and served three years during World War II.

[2] Upon his return from the war,Smith did not compete from 1945 to 1946 and resumed running at the 1947 Boston Marathon.

[5] Smith did not finish the 1947 marathon while his five year course record was broken by winner Suh Yun-bok.