Mission Statement

We are the first walking and running  specialty retail to promote spending as much time barefoot as possible.  When you need to wear shoes, we will offer products and education to assist transition toward, or maintenance of, natural and efficient running and walking form. 

Both old and new research and the experiences of injured runners give layers of evidence  that the human foot must develop naturally during youth and continue into adulthood to function and behave like a foot.  When you rediscover your foot’s vital communication with the ground, it will be no longer  be “no pain…no gain” but rather “no pain…thank you”.

We also are a gathering spot and guide to the outdoors and rich heritage of the Land of Two Rivers - a confluence of wild places, art, history, and healthy living.  We are the Headquarters for Freedom’s Run; and along with 100’s of volunteer hours will donate 5% of sales back to our community for wellness activities.

Mark Cucuzzella MD, FAAFP

Mark is a Family Physician at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine and Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, he is coach and captain of their marathon team and designing programs to reduce running injuries in military personnel. He is the chief medical consultant for the Air Force Marathon (www.usafmarathon.com).  His passion for health extends beyond the walls of the clinic into the medical home’s “backyard”- the trails and open space that create the arena for optimum wellness. 

Mark has been a competitive runner for nearly 30 years, completing over 60 marathons and ultras, and continues to compete as a National level Masters (age 40 plus) runner. His marathon best is 2:24 and has run under 2:35 for a marathon 22 of the last 24 years including a 2:34 in the 2010 Boston Marathon at age 43. His only misses were his medical intern year and 2009 when he ran 2:37.

 He is the race director of Freedom’s Run- a Race for Health and Heritage, a run through 4 National Parks (www.freedomsrun.org). The 5 race event fulfills Mark’s vision of integrating natural and community assets to promote health and preserve the land for future generations.  Mark is the lead in for a community initiative called “Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every Child” which aims to halt the epidemic of childhood obesity (see page 46 for more on this) He is the father of two young children who love to explore and play in the outdoors.  For his efforts in these areas, he has been awarded the US Air Force Athlete of the Year in 1997, the Family Physician Teacher of the Year for the State of Colorado in 2000, the Harpers Ferry National Park Volunteer of the Month, the West Virginia University Deans Award for Community Service, and was a finalist for the prestigious Hartzog Award for National Park Volunteerism.

He has applied his passion for helping people run healthy for life to studies involving the ChiRunning technique. In his daily practice, Mark encourages walkers and runners at all levels of ability to discover the trails and country roads he explores his daily local runs.  He teaches classes both in the clinic and the community on “Exercise is Medicine” and healthier and pain free running.

Opening Two Rivers Treads fulfills Mark’s dream of having a Center where runners and walkers of all abilities can learn how keep outdoor physical activity fun and pain free.  Mark’s approach to running and health is holistic- find the cause of injury and fix it and discover pain free efficient movement.  There are basic principles of footwear and gait which need to be reintroduced to the public.  Two Rivers Treads is the Center to do this. 

Tom Shantz

I am a proud Veteran having spent 6 ½ years in the U.S. Air Force and serving a tour in Vietnam. The next 32 years of my life I worked for Roadway Express and retired as a Manager in 2007.    .  In 1995 I discovered a love for running.  Since then I have completed seven Ultra Events (50 miler +), several marathons and dozens of 5 and 10K’s.

Since 1997 I have trained co-workers, friends, and friends of friends to run marathons and 50 mile events.  All have finished their events.  This has been my greatest joy….helping other achieve a goal. My best friend was asked years ago what it felt like to run 50 miles.  His reply was this:  “The first 30 miles you feel the way you’ve trained, the last twenty the way you’ve lived your life”.   Your body will do anything you train it to do. 

Giving opportunity to others to achieve something special has led me to serve lead logistic roles for Freedom’s run, the JFK 50 Mile, and the Race for the Birds.  Organizing a fleet of trucks and hundreds of runners have many similarities, especially keeping them fueled.

My wife (Karen) and I were married on the AT, at a location called White Rock.  We enjoy traveling and camping throughout the United States.  We have run and kayaked in some beautiful places.  On Saturday mornings you can find Karen and I hosting a running group at the Antietam Battlefield. All levels of runners and walkers are welcome.  Come see the beauty and join the fun.

What I am now discovering is that we all have much to learn about running, a seemingly simple sport.  My own transformation to more pain free movement through better running form and more functional footwear has led me to help teach and spread this message through Two River Treads. 

JAMES MUNNIS

A Florida native, James relocated to WV in the year 2000 with his three children and wife Suzy, an accomplished fitness specialist & very successful high school distance running coach. After the journeys of 10+ years with the Navy, they are now happy to call both WV & FL their home. James has completed ultra-marathons, a "Savage" triathlon, and hundreds of ultra-cycling events.

Well into a resurgence of running for fitness & fun, James had been primarily cycling as an alternative to pain & injury experienced leading up to his first marathon over ten years ago. After in-depth internship and education in natural running techniques and functional footwear for an enjoyable & safe running experience, James has become a passionate "running mechanic".

James is focused on the younger generation to ensure they become educated as runners instead of misguided by marketing and misinformation. "The biggest thing is for kids to never be sidelined by completely avoidable running injuries typically caused by dangerous foot-ware designed by marketing departments..... and for kids, as well as us older folks, to learn the means to enjoy the social, mental, and physical health benefits of running, instead of perpetuating the common beliefs that running has to be "painful" and exists as a tool of punishment."

“I am very thankful to help represent Two Rivers Treads as an invaluable resource of science, evidence, and foot-ware created to help steer folks towards the pain-free and efficient natural running and walking experience.”