The Ground Floor: Couple opens second running-shoe store in Corridor

For many people, running is a way of life. For Brian and Kris Tharp, it's also an occupation.

When the couple opened their first specialty running store in North Liberty in 2012, Kris left her I.T. management position to operate the store. When they expanded their business and opened a second location in Cedar Rapids in February, Brian quit his day job.

And when the Tharps aren't working at their two We Run stores, they often can be found out on the running trail or participating in races.

A decade ago, it would have been hard to imagine that running would become such a big part of Brian Tharp's life.

'It really all started with two normal people living two normal lives who got caught up in life,' he said.

In 2008, while directing his company's flood recovery efforts, Brian found that life had gotten in the way of his health.

'I was barely able to walk up the driveway,' he said.

Tipping the scales at over 400 pounds, Brian made changes to his diet and started exercising. He ran his first 5K in 2009. Now 200 pounds lighter, he has completed both the Boston Marathon and the Kettle Moraine 100 in LaGrange, Wis.

Along the way, he learned the importance of having good gear.

'When I first started running, I bought a pair of shoes over the internet, but they were the wrong ones and caused severe knee pain,' he recalled. He said that once he got fitted for the right shoes, 'It opened my eyes to the value of good footwear in meeting fitness goals.'

We Run was born out of the Tharps' desire to help others be as successful as Brian in achieving better health.

'The whole point of the business is to motivate our customers and help them reach their fitness goals, regardless of whether they are runners or walkers or just want to walk to the mailbox and back,' Brian said.

Even before they opened their first store in North Liberty, the Tharps envisioned a multi-store operation.

'Our original business plan says expansion,' Kris said.

When the owners of Running Wild retired and closed their specialty running business late last year, the Tharps saw an opportunity to move into a market to which they already were connected through the running community.

They moved into the storefront vacated by Running Wild and figured out how to share inventory, technology and even some staff between their two stores.

They said their customer focus is the same at both stores.

'I want people to understand the passion we have to keep people up and moving and their feet feeling good,' Brian said.

[naviga:h3 style="padding-left: 30px;"]AT A GLANCE

Owners: Brian and Kris Tharp

Business: We Run LLC

Address: 1950 Dodge Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

Telephone: (319) 378-0795

Email: contactus@werunllc.com

Website: www.werunllc.com

Know a business in operation less than a year that would make a good 'Ground Floor' feature? Contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com