Athletics Ontario Running Podcast · John Shep

EP 196: Kathy Webber and Sean Sharp, N89 - Challenged on the Trail, United by the Community

·51 min·3 clips

Kathy says Sean finished an 80K after a GPS error and a foot injury.

1. Athletics Ontario Running Podcast Episode 196 features Kathy Webber and Sean Sharp talking about N89 and its Ontario trail-racing events. 2. Kathy Webber founded N89, and Sean Sharp coaches and helps build the series, so both shape the races and the runner experience. 3. The episode asks how N89 turned race cancellations, recovery, and community support into a growing trail-and-ultra series. 4. Kathy says her running began after a friend invited her to a charity 5k in Ontario, where it did not hurt for the first time. 5. She moved from that 5k to a 10k and half marathon, then aimed for Halliburton 50k training before the pandemic changed her plans. 6. Kathy says she set up a solo GPS course in Dufferin County Forest after races were canceled, and 100 local runners signed up. 7. She says Cremor Springs Brewery handed out race kits and offered two free beers at the finish, which helped launch the series. 8. Kathy says N89 added four breweries in 2021 and worked with Hardwood Ski and Bike, Dufferin County, Ontario Parks, and Colipore Highland Trails. 9. She also says a mountain-bike accident put her out of running for almost two years after she broke her foot and had a plate installed. 10. Sean says he played sports through university, then stopped and felt he was in a dark spot after school. 11. He says running was the simplest thing he could do because he could put shoes on and go, and that effort in running started changing effort in life. 12. Sean says he later studied coaching through the U.S. Sports Coach Academy, random courses, books, and an eight-hour Killian Jornet climbing course. 13. He says he practiced by inventing fictional athletes and building scenarios before working with real people. 14. Kathy says Sean first showed up at Great Mansfield, then at Chill Session and Vertical Challenge, including a year when he insisted on finishing 80K after a 75K GPS course became longer. 15. She says Sean helped divide race-directing duties in 2024 and expanded N89 into more events and more structure. 16. Kathy says the series values finish-line time, where people stay for hours, cheer each other on, and recognize trail relationships across events. 17. The conversation is conversational and detailed, with the host repeatedly asking for concrete examples, course features, and personal turning points. 18. Sean and Kathy both speak in an encouraging, reflective tone, with frequent references to community, coaching, and gradual progress. 19. Listeners who like Ontario trail racing, ultrarunning, and race-director stories will likely enjoy this episode. 20. Listeners wanting a short, purely result-focused race recap may skip it.

As heard by us

Ontario running keeps the focus on community, with enough logistics to get people through the door.

The episode stays grounded in Ontario running, moving from the 2k and 5k community cross-country race at the Ontario Cross-Country Championships at Lakeridge Lynx Golf Club in Whitby to the quieter satisfaction of a lapped 80k, where people wait, pace, and help one another.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For the runner who wants Ontario trail and cross-country talk wrapped in community energy.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Athletics Ontario Running Podcast