Guy Dressed as Canadian Marathoner Reid Coolsaet Annoyed That No One Gets His Costume
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istockphoto.com composite
A local man dressed as an elite Canadian marathoner for Halloween is frustrated that no one has guessed who he is supposed to be, Dumb Runner has learned.
“I got the Maple Leaf singlet, the red hair,” said Gene Parmesan, 28, a Canadian-born graphic artist who has lived in the U.S. for five years. “Who else could I be but Reid Coolsaet?”
“I mean, come on,” he added. “Jeez.”
The 41-year-old Coolsaet, a Canadian born in Hamilton, Ontario, is a two-time Olympian with a marathon PR of 2:10:28—all of which is news to many Americans, judging by the reactions Parmesan got during a recent stroll through his neighborhood.
“Dude!” said a passing dog walker, pointing at Parmesan. “It’s… Leaf Man?”
“Justin Trudeau!” said a woman a few moments later. “I love it.”
Parmesan rolled his eyes.
“Earlier today a delivery guy saw me and thought I was supposed to be someone named David Caruso,” he said. “I don’t even know who that is.”
A man and woman strolled by, wishing Parmesan a happy Halloween and inquiring about his costume.
“I’ll give you a hint,” he replied. “I attended the University of Guelph.”
The couple smiled and shrugged. Parmesan sighed.
Asked whether he considered adding a bib number reading “COOLSAET” to his singlet to avoid confusion, Parmesan scoffed.
“I shouldn’t have to!” he said. “Look at me—I’m obviously Red Coolsaet.”
