On the Run orthotics are engineered and manufactured in Europe where walking is a major part of everyday life. Many of our foot care products are hand-crafted using only the highest quality materials. They are used throughout Europe and are doctor recommended for their superior support and cushioning. Most importantly, our orthotics are unique in their ability to be customized to fit your specific needs. This puts On the Run arch supports a step above many over-the-counter products on the market. Choose On the Run orthotics as your choice in foot care products.

Mark Wachter – our own shoe genius - founded On the Run in 1977 on a very basic principle: 'When it comes to people’s feet and well-being, I don’t settle.' Using that principle as his beacon, Mark transformed a modest shoe store into the best foot health retailer in the Bay Area. It all started with Stanley Wachter. In 1964, Stanley and his wife Lidia brought their young children, Luba and Marek (Mark), to San Francisco from war-torn Warsaw, Poland. Stanley worked as a tailor at the famous San Francisco clothier Fritzi’s and instilled in both his children a passion for customer service and the desire to improve peoples’ quality of life. In 1974, Luba started Luba Designs - a women's clothing store - in what is now CitiShoes at 751 Irving Street. In 1977, Mark opened On the Run on the 1300 block of 9th Avenue. 

Inspired by his passion for improving his customers’ quality of life, Mark began utilizing the knowledge and experience he had gained to design and manufacture his own brand of high-quality orthotics, imported from Poland and Germany. In 2005, he added CitiShoes based on the principle that “just because it’s fashion, doesn’t mean it can’t be comfortable.” CitiShoes offers the same focus on foot health and shoe customization in fashion shoes.Today, Mark trains all of his sales associates to biomechanically evaluate specific foot issues and match shoes to specific individual needs. At On the Run & CitiShoes – we believe that a knowledgeable and courteous staff that provides genuine and specific customer service can offer far more than “discount prices” can.

Mark Wachter

Owner / Founder

I started my business during the running trend of the 70’s. I was then working at Luba Designs - my sister’s clothing store - and got into running. There was a store up the street from us that sold running shoes so I went in to buy my very first pair. The sales associate knew nothing about shoes or feet and consequently, my shoes didn’t fit and I was in pain. I knew running was a growing sport so I decided to address the problem. 

Mark is the trainer for footwear and foot health for the San Francisco Police Department. He has presented at UCSF Medical School and San Francisco Emergency Services Department. Do you have an organization or business where proper shoes are imperative? Mark will come to your work place, evaluate your employees' feet and suggest footwear and orthotics that will prevent pain and injury and improve performance. Attendees receive a discount card toward their next purchase.

Eric Meuser

General Manager

MJ Tamondong

ATHLETIC SHOE FIT SPECIALIST