Miles that Bind: Chanitz, Schmidt, & Lacherza

For Samantha Chanitz, Allison Chanitz, Nicole Lachera, and Erin Schmidt, running the TCS New York City Marathon as members of Team Allied Services is about so much more than 26.2 miles. It is about family. It is about friendship. It is about showing up for one another through every training run, every challenge, every moment of doubt, and every milestone along the way.

This year, the four runners will share a once-in-a-lifetime journey as family members and close friends, taking on one of the world’s most iconic marathons together while raising funds and awareness for Allied Services.

“Running the NYC Marathon together means so much more than crossing the finish line,” they shared. “It’s about months of training, encouraging each other through the tough days, celebrating every milestone, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

For Samantha, Allison, Nicole, and Erin, finding out they would all be part of Team Allied Services was an exciting and deeply meaningful moment. What began as a personal goal quickly became something bigger: an opportunity to run with purpose and support a mission that helps improve the quality of life for individuals and families throughout the region.

“Being selected to run together for Team Allied Services felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and gave our training an even greater purpose,” they said. “Knowing that every mile we run represents something much bigger than ourselves makes this experience even more meaningful.”

The road to the New York City Marathon is not easy. It requires early mornings, long runs, tired legs, discipline, and determination. But for these four runners, the journey has also been filled with encouragement, laughter, and the kind of support that only family - whether by blood, marriage, or friendship - can give. Their inspiration comes from many places. They have watched family members and close friends complete Ironman races and marathons. They have been encouraged by loved ones who believed in them before they fully believed in themselves. They have also been inspired by people in their lives who have faced personal hardships with courage and resilience. Those examples helped remind them that the most meaningful victories often come from simply continuing to show up.

For Samantha, Allison, Nicole, and Erin, family means always having people in your corner. It means encouragement when the miles feel long. It means support when the goal feels overwhelming. It means celebrating not only the big moments, but also the small steps that make those moments possible.

“Running has shown us that no one reaches big goals alone,” they shared. “We’re grateful to have a team that motivates each other through every training run, every obstacle, and every victory.”

That spirit of family and support is also what connects them to Allied Services’ mission. Through its wide range of programs and services, Allied Services helps children, adults, and seniors reach their fullest potential, recover from illness or injury, and live life with greater independence and dignity. For this group of women, that mission reflects values they hold close: compassion, resilience, hope, community, and giving back.

“Helping others has always been a value that our families have instilled in us,” they said. “Whether through careers in healthcare and education, experiences with loved ones facing health challenges, or simply growing up believing in giving back, we’ve learned the importance of supporting people through difficult times.”

As they train for race day, every mile carries a deeper meaning. Their journey is not only about accomplishing something extraordinary together, but also about helping make a difference for others. They hope their story reminds people that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when they support one another and believe in a purpose bigger than themselves. They also hope it encourages others to chase goals that challenge them, support causes they care about, and remember that every act of kindness matters. Whether through a donation, a word of encouragement, or cheering someone on from the sidelines, each gesture can make a lasting impact.

Above all, Samantha, Allison, Nicole, and Erin hope people see the genuine friendship, family, and support that have made this marathon journey so special.

As they prepare to take on the streets of New York City, they will do so together - as runners, as family, as friends, and as proud members of Team Allied Services.

To support Samantha, Allison, Nicole, and Erin on their journey, please visit their individual fundraising pages below.
Allison: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/allison-chanitz
Samantha: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/samantha-chanitz
Nicole: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/nicole-lacherza
Erin: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/erin-schmidt