Team Big B: How Honoring Brian Adam Turned 100 Miles into Impact

On Friday, April 11, 2025 — World Parkinson’s Day — Jeff Begin, Nick Manis and LJ Urie set out to run 100 miles across Maryland. Through nonstop rain, freezing wind and 28 hours on foot, Team Big B turned an extreme endurance challenge into a powerful tribute — honoring Brian "Big B" Adam and raising more than $256,000 for Parkinson’s research. 

Brian was Nick’s uncle, Jeff’s father-in-law and a close family friend to LJ. After Brian passed away in December 2023, the three began training in the summer of 2024 with a shared goal: do something enduring in his name. Supported every mile by their friends and family, B100 became as much about community as it was about physical grit. 

MJFF: Running 100 miles is no small feat. What motivated you to take on this challenge, and why Team Fox? 

Jeff Begin: We wanted to do something big and something enduring in honor of Big B. I watched Brian battle Parkinson’s disease and Multiple System Atrophy for years, and he faced the disease and the daily challenges it brings, with nothing but grace, positivity and determination, starting each day with his favorite quote: “It’s a great day to be alive.” One hundred miles felt like a fitting tribute — forcing us to push past our limits, live in the discomfort and do it with a smile. Doing it for Team Fox was a no-brainer. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is the leading nonprofit working to end Parkinson’s, and it was — and still is — an incredible resource for our family. 

Nick Manis: This was all about raising as much money as possible in honor of my uncle. He had an incredible presence, a contagious personality and always made those around him feel uplifted. When he passed, I wanted to do one more thing to celebrate his life and legacy. Running 100 miles for Team Fox allowed me to combine that tribute with raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research. Choosing World Parkinson’s Day made the challenge even more symbolic — a tribute to Uncle Brian’s strength and a moment to raise awareness. 

LJ Urie: Brian was someone I’d known my entire life and an inspiration to everyone around him. Even through Parkinson’s, he radiated love, joy and mental strength. We wanted to honor him by doing everything we could to help fight this disease in his name. 

MJFF: What was the 100-mile experience like? 

Jeff: We knew pretty early on that the day wasn’t going to go as planned. It started pouring rain before we even got going — and it didn’t stop for nearly 18 hours. My feet were soaked within the first mile. One moment that stands out was around mile 30, when the sun went down and we were stuck on an exposed stretch of road with no tree cover, facing 25 mph winds for a few miles. It was brutal — and all we could do was laugh and keep moving. Our support crew, especially Nick and LJ’s dads following us the entire way, really got us through it. 

MJFF: What carried you through the final miles? 

Jeff: Around mile 90, a huge group of friends and family surprised us at a Dunkin’ Donuts and gave us a fresh burst of adrenaline. Those last 10 miles were painful — blisters popping, cramps kicking in — but spirits were high. Ten miles takes a lot longer after 90 than it does in training, but we were laughing the whole way. 

Nick: I was thinking about my uncle. His personality, his attitude, the impact he had on everyone around him — it kept me going. I kept reminding myself that this wasn’t just about me or finishing a physical challenge. Every step was fueled by the memory of him and the purpose behind B100. 

LJ: I’ve never felt more love and support in my entire life than I did for those final miles and crossing the finish line. That feeling will stick with me forever. 

MJFF: Team Big B has raised over $256,000, far surpassing your $100,000 goal. What does that support mean to you? 

Jeff: It’s honestly hard to put into words. Watching donations come in from people across all parts of our lives has been incredible. The messages and memories people shared about Brian have been especially meaningful. 

Nick: It’s overwhelming in the best way. It shows the impact my uncle had on people and the respect everyone had for him. It makes me feel like we truly honored his memory and extended his legacy beyond our family. 

LJ: The overwhelming support is a testament to the incredible man Brian was and what’s possible when people come together for something bigger than themselves. 

MJFF: Looking back now, what stands out most? 

Nick: This journey wasn’t really about me — it was about Uncle Brian. Every mile, every donation and every bit of support reflected the kind of man he was and the lives he touched. It’s proof that even after someone is gone, their spirit and influence can inspire incredible acts of love, perseverance and community. 

LJ: This was the greatest physical and mental challenge any of us have ever taken on, and we couldn’t have done it without each other, our families and our community. I truly believe Brian was with us the whole way. At one point, we even saw a fox cross our path — a sign he was watching over us.