'Wonderful dad' dies after collapsing at half marathon finish line
Tributes have been pouring in for Stephen Jenkins
A beloved dad who died after collapsing at the finish line of this year's Cardiff half marathon has been described as a "genuinely kind person".
Tributes have been pouring in for Stephen Jenkins, whose family have described as a "wonderful father". He suffered a cardiac arrest as the run ended on Sunday and, despite the best efforts of paramedics and doctors, he later died at the University Hospital of Wales in the Heath area of the city.
The 37-year-old's 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."
Mr Jenkins, a senior director in business development for SquareTrade, leaves behind his partner Rhiannon Cole and their 18-month-old daughter Mabli. He lived with his family in Walthamstow, northeast London, but was raised in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.
His devastated parents added: "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."
Run 4 Wales, which organises the race, also paid their respects to the dad, who studied Geography at University of Oxford, following the tragedy. 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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