This Kingston man paid tribute to Gord Downie in the Boston Marathon — it was a long time running On Monday, April 20, 2026, firefighter Joseph Reid of Kingston, Ontario, completed the Boston Marathon dressed as Gord Downie, the late frontman of The Tragically Hip, marking his second time running the race in tribute to the iconic Canadian musician. Reid wore the same outfit Downie donned during his final concert in Kingston in 2016: silver pants, a Jaws T-shirt, and a grey top hat adorned with a feather. This year, he also carried a Canadian flag during the race, a detail noted in pre-race coverage from local Kingston media. Speaking with CBC News the day after the marathon, Reid, 47, emphasized that he does not consider himself a runner or a superfan of The Tragically Hip, despite his actions suggesting otherwise. “I don’t listen to a lot of music, but if I do, it’s typically them,” he said while wearing a Tragically Hip sweatshirt in his garage, which is decorated with band memorabilia and quotes from Downie. This was Reid’s seventh marathon overall and his second run dressed as Downie. His first tribute run occurred in 2017 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, just days after Downie’s passing. During that event, Reid carried a guitar and portable speaker to play The Tragically Hip’s music along the route, an effort that raised over $5,000 for the Downie Wenjack Fund. Reid said he was in the audience for Downie’s final Kingston concert in 2016 and felt compelled to honor the musician’s legacy through his runs. “I wasn’t going to miss that one,” he recalled. He described the crowd reaction during his 2017 tribute as “unreal,” with spectators singing along as he ran. His playlist for training and racing is approximately 80 percent Tragically Hip songs, with “Nautical Disaster” listed as his favorite. Reid maintains a Hip-themed shrine in his garage, affectionately nicknamed “The Henhouse,” where he keeps collectibles and memorabilia tied to the band. He expressed pride in representing both his hometown and the band’s cultural significance. “I think Kingston is synonymous with the Tragically Hip,” Reid said. “I’m quite excited to represent the city I live in, as well as the band.” The Boston Marathon, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathons, took place on April 20, 2026, drawing thousands of competitors from around the globe. Reid’s tribute stood out among the field as a personal and heartfelt homage to a national music figure whose influence continues to resonate across Canada.
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