In a year when Kingston reflects the enduring legacy of The Tragically Hip and the 10th anniversary of the unforgettable final concert, one local runner is carrying that legacy onto one of the world’s biggest stages.
When Joe Reid lines up at the Boston Marathon on April 20, he won’t look like your typical runner.
Wearing an outfit inspired by Gord Downie’s iconic final performance, and carrying a Canadian flag, Reid is bringing a piece of Kingston with him every step of the way.
“I wanted to bring a piece of Kingston with me,” Reid says. “What’s more fitting than Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip?”
A Kingston Life Sountracked by The Hip
For Reid, this tribute goes far beyond race day, it’s part of everyday life.
He jokes that he’s “not that big of a fan,” but a visit to his garage tells a different story. Nicknamed The Henhouse, a nod to the band’s album Trouble at the Henhouse, the space is a full tribute to The Tragically Hip, reflecting just how deeply their music is woven into his life.
That connection carries into his runs as well.
“The Hip probably makes up about 80% of my playlist,” he says. “Nautical Disaster is my favourite though.”
A Kingston Moment that Became Forever Hip
Reid was in the crowd at The Tragically Hip’s final concert, a night that brought Kingston, and the country, together in a way few cultural moments ever have.
“I went with my buddy and my wife. I paid a lot of money to be there,” he says. “The news of his diagnosis was devastating. I wasn’t going to miss their last live concert. It was hard to stomach though.”
That night has since become part of Kingston’s cultural fabric, an enduring moment that continues to resonate today, as the city marks the 10th anniversary of that iconic performance through its “Forever Hip” celebrations.
“I think Kingston is synonymous with The Tragically Hip,” he says. “I’m quite excited to represent the city I live in, as well as the band.”
From Toronto Headlines to Boston Streets
This isn’t the first time Reid has turned running into a tribute.
In 2017, just days after Gord Downie’s passing, he ran the Toronto Marathon in the same outfit, this time carrying a guitar and streaming Tragically Hip songs as he ran in support of the Downie Wenjack Fund.
The emotional response was overwhelming.
“The reception was like nothing I’ve felt before,” he says.
That run landed him on the front page of the Toronto Star and raised approximately $10,000 for the cause.
Reid has also taken on another ambitious challenge, attempting a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in full firefighter gear, including steel-toed boots. While he fell short of the record, the effort raised an incredible $25,000 for Kingston’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an achievement he considers a win in every sense.
Running Boston Differently this Time
Reid first ran Boston in 2005 at age 26. Nearly two decades later, he qualified again at 45 with a sub-three-hour marathon.
But this time, the approach is different.
“I took it way too seriously in 2005 and didn’t really enjoy it,” he says. “This time I’m going down to have some fun.”
That shift in perspective defines this run, less about performance, more about experience, connection, and storytelling.
“I think I’m looking forward to finding other Canadians who recognize who I’m dressed up as,” he says. “If they recognize me, I’ll assume they’re Canadian.”
Carrying Kingston to the Finish Line
As he makes his way through the final stretch of the Boston Marathon, Reid knows exactly what the moment represents.
“I’ll be proud to do it dressed as a Canadian icon and carrying a Canadian flag,” he says.
In a year when Kingston continues to reflect on the legacy of Gord Downie and the lasting cultural imprint of The Tragically Hip, Reid’s run becomes part of a much larger story.
It’s about music, memory and a city that continues to carry those stories forward, far beyond its borders.
Have your own Forever Hip story?
As Kingston marks a decade since “Forever Hip,” stories like Reid’s are a powerful reminder that the impact of that night didn’t end when the final song did.
It lives on, in playlists, in places like The Henhouse, and now, on the streets of Boston.
You can track Reid’s progress on race day through the Boston Marathon app using bib number 6884.
Have your own Tragically Hip story? Share it with us at amanda@tourismkingston.com and be part of how Kingston continues to celebrate the legacy.
Stay up to date on all things Tragically Hip at www.visitkingston.ca/thehip/.
