'Wonderful father' dies after collapsing at Cardiff half marathon finish line

Stephen Jenkins was described as a 'genuinely kind person' who 'wore his heart on his sleeve'

The devastated family of a man who died after collapsing at the finish line of this year's Cardiff half marathon have described him as a "wonderful father" and "genuinely kind person". Stephen Jenkins, 37, died after collapsing at the end of the race on Sunday, October 6, event organisers Run 4 Wales confirmed.

They said Mr Jenkins suffered a cardiac arrest and despite the best efforts of medical and emergency teams, Mr Jenkins died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. 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. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.

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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.

"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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