Miles that Bind: Meet Courtney and Holden

At Team Allied Services, we are constantly inspired by the people who choose to run not just for the finish line, but for something bigger than themselves. This year, we are honored to share in the journey of Holden and Courtney Lyons, a husband-and-wife duo who will take on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon together - alongside Courtney’s father, Scott - turning race day into a powerful family milestone.

For Courtney, running has been part of her life for nearly two decades. She began running at just 11 years old, inspired by her dad, Scott, who introduced her to the sport and shared many of her early races. Over the years, those miles together grew into a passion that shaped Courtney’s long-term goal: to run a marathon in all 50 states.

By the time she met Holden, marathons were already a big part of her life.

Holden’s journey to running looked very different.

Growing up in Oklahoma City, he was a baseball player through college, where running was simply part of conditioning - often viewed more as part of the job than enjoyment. But his perspective began to change after participating in a relay leg of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon through work.

A year later, he decided to attempt his first half marathon in 2020. Like so many events that year, it turned into a solo virtual race during the pandemic. What began as a quiet 13.1-mile run unexpectedly changed Holden’s relationship with running, giving him a sense of peace and purpose during an uncertain time.

Soon after, Courtney encouraged him to take the next step: running a full marathon.

In 2021, Holden completed the full Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, crossing the finish line with Courtney and his parents cheering him on. From that moment forward, running became something they truly shared together.

Since then, the couple has continued to challenge themselves and grow as athletes. Together they’ve run races including the Nashville Marathon and St. George Marathon, while Holden also tackled the Dallas Marathon on his own.

Their shared love for endurance sports eventually led to an even bigger challenge.

In 2025, Holden, Courtney, and Scott trained together to complete Ironman Texas, a grueling endurance event that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon. While Scott had completed several Ironman races before, including Challenge Roth in Germany, it was the first for both Holden and Courtney.

Preparing for and finishing that race together became one of the most rewarding athletic experiences of their lives.

Today, the family continues to run regularly with their local run club in The Woodlands, Texas, building miles, memories, and momentum together. Holden has fully embraced Courtney’s dream of running a marathon in all 50 states - even if he admits he still has some catching up to do.

Last year, the couple even celebrated Courtney’s 30th birthday by running 30 miles together, a milestone that perfectly reflects their shared spirit of adventure. Now their next chapter brings them to one of the world’s most iconic races.

When Scott was selected through the New York City Marathon lottery for what he plans to be his final marathon - marking the culmination of a long and accomplished running career - the moment carried special meaning for the entire family. After years of running together and sharing countless miles, Courtney and Holden immediately began searching for a way to stand beside him at the starting line for this milestone race.

For Courtney, it is a chance to run alongside the father who first introduced her to the sport and inspired her love of distance running. For Holden, it means not only checking off his number-one bucket list race, but also sharing an unforgettable experience with the two people who helped shape his running journey. Together, the trio will take on one of the most iconic races in the world.

Through Team Allied Services, the family now has the opportunity to make this special moment even more meaningful.

Running for a cause adds a powerful purpose to every mile. As part of Team Allied Services, Holden and Courtney will be raising funds to support programs that provide life-changing care for individuals living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and complex medical needs.

Through therapy, specialized care, and innovative programs, Allied Services helps people regain independence, build confidence, and live fuller, more meaningful lives.

We are incredibly grateful that Holden and Courtney have chosen to run for something bigger than themselves, and we are honored to share in their journey as a family.

This November in New York City, their miles will represent dedication, perseverance, and the power of running together for a purpose.

Support Holden’s Journey:
https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/holden-lyons

Support Courtney’s Journey:
https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/courtney-lyons-1