Adhnan’s marathon effort for Children with Cancer UK
4 May 2026
Completing the distance.
A bucket list entry was struck off when a Wolverhampton chief inspector crossed the finish line at this year’s London Marathon.
And, in doing so, Adhnan Afzal raised £2,251 for Children with Cancer UK, beating the target he had set for himself.
He said: “World records were broken, London came alive and the atmosphere was awesome. It was definitely a bucket list experience. I had an 18-week training plan which included Ramadan nearer the end, and it was the single hardest physical activity I have ever done. I’ve entered the ballot for next year!”
With a love of travel, Adhnan had already completed half marathons in Marrakech, Istanbul, Barcelona, Milan and Madrid and says that the best way to see a city is to run through it.
Adhnan, who has been with the Force for 22 years and is a proactive crime manager, has only been running for around two years and generally completes one 5k and one 10k run each week.
But he admits it’s not something he really enjoys: “It’s the only sport I have done that wants me to stop every few steps. But it’s a challenge and good for longevity and wellbeing. I have always been an active person, having played football for 20 years and tried boxing, MMA, cricket and now running.”
He followed the Ben Parkes plan to train for the marathon on Sunday 26 April. The plan involves twice weekly runs and one strength session.
Adhnan signed up for the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April as it was a bucket list run but also because he wanted to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Trust.
Children with Cancer UK has partnered with the West Midlands Association of Muslim Police (AMP) to raise money through this year's Ramadan Experience.
Adhnan is the community lead for the Force’s AMP which has supported the Ramadan Experience, a national initiative that aims to raise awareness of Ramadan by non-Muslims experiencing fasting for a day.
