Tributes to 'wonderful' dad who died after collapsing at half marathon finish line

Stephen Jenkins has passed away after collapsing following a race at the weekend.

A man who died after collapsing at the finish line of this year's Cardiff half marathon has been praised as a "wonderful father" and a "genuinely kind person" by his grieving family. Stephen Jenkins, 37, fell at the finish of the race on Sunday, October 6, according to event organisers Run 4 Wales.

They said Mr Jenkins died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff after suffering a cardiac arrest, despite the best efforts of medical and emergency staff, reports Wales Online. Mr Jenkins, who worked as a senior director in business development for SquareTrade, grew up in Ammanford in Carmarthenshire.

He attended the local comprehensive school before studying Geography at Oxford University. He later moved to Walthamstow, London, where he lived with his partner Rhiannon Cole and their 18-month-old daughter Mabli.

His mother and father, Karen and Dyfrig Jenkins, described him as "a wonderful son, loving partner and wonderful father". In a heartfelt tribute, his father Dyfrig said: "Stephen was a friend to everyone.

"He was very caring, very loyal and wonderful with children. He was a genuinely kind person that wore his heart on his sleeve and the glue among all his friends – he was always the one to organise someone's birthday or a get-together.

"Stephen was a keen runner and cyclist and very passionate about Welsh rugby. He and his grandfather had tickets near the halfway line at the Principality stadium – they rarely missed a game since the stadium opened. He was also extremely passionate about his Welsh roots and the Welsh language. Although his daughter is being brought up in Walthamstow, she can already speak some Welsh.

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"Stephen was a wonderful son to us throughout all his life. He was so kind and caring. He was the best dad in the world to our granddaughter Mabli and a wonderful partner to Rhiannon."

Matt Newman, the chief executive at Run 4 Wales, said: "The thoughts of everyone connected with the race are with Stephen’s family and friends at this difficult time. The medical team and emergency services reacted with great speed and professionalism to his collapse at the finish line and he received specialist medical care within a minute.

"Run 4 Wales works with bereavement support charity, 2Wish, who will continue to support Stephen’s family and friends."

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