A Brooklyn runner is on a mission to run with purpose, fundraising every step of the way to combat violence against Asians.

Timmy Zhou says he will be running 55 miles to fundraise and raise awareness.

"With the murder of Christina Lee and Michelle Go, it has become impossible to ignore the racism and xenophobia that has been on the rise since COVID started," Zhou says.

Zhou’s parents immigrated here from China, and he says he knows the struggle that come with cultural differences.

"Growing up, I have experienced in school being somewhat different than other kids. I am Chinese, my parents are Chinese and there were cultural differences going to school, especially eating lunch, and those small things sort of add up and you don’t realize it until you get older," he says.

To do his part, Zhou is running and he hopes people all around can do their part by donating to Run for Chinatown, an organization that formed during the COVID-19 pandemic that raises funding and awareness to the rise in violence against Asian Americans.

Zhou will be running 55 miles next Sunday, and he hopes to nearly double his distance by May.