A SUPERFIT dad has tragically died after collapsing on the finish line of the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Stephen Jenkins, 37, passed away at the University Hospital in Wales after suffering a cardiac arrest at the event.
The “very caring, very loyal” runner has been described as a “wonderful father” and “genuinely kind person”.
He sadly leaves behind his 18-month-old daughter Mabli and partner Rhiannon.
His heartbroken parents, Karen and Dyfrig Jenkins, said in a heartfelt tribute: “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.”
Stephen worked as a senior director in business development for SquareTrade.
He grew up in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, before leaving to study geography at Oxford University.
Matt Newman, the chief executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “The thoughts of evryone 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.”
A spokesman for Run 4 Wales said earlier: “This is a terrible tragedy and our deepest sympathies go out to the runner’s family.
“In respect for the participant’s family at this difficult time, no further details will be released.”
Organisers had described this year’s race as the “biggest ever year” after 29,000 people signed up for it.
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The annual event is the UKs second largest half marathon and saw almost 30,000 people take on the 13.1mile course which starts and finishes in the city centre.
The route is popular with serious runners for its flat course as well as taking in popular tourist spots such as Cardiff Castle, the Cardiff Bay barrage and Roath Park Lake.
In 2018 two runners, Ben McDonald, 25 from Cardiff, and Dean Fletcher, 32 from Exeter, both suffered cardiac arrest at the finishing line after crossing within minutes of each other.
A year later council planner Nicholas Beckley, 35, also died after completing the course.
Run 4 Wales have previously said they have worked to raise awareness of unknown heart conditions following the tragedies.
The Sun has contacted the Welsh Ambulance Service for further information.
