Tributes paid to ‘wonderful father’ who died during Cardiff’s half marathon

Stephen Jenkins died after collapsing at the finish line

2 months ago

Tributes have poured in for the man who died after collapsing at the Cardiff half marathon’s finish line.

Stephen Jenkins, 37, has been described as a “a wonderful son, loving partner and wonderful father” by his family.

Jenkins was a father of an 18-month-old daughter and he was known as “the glue among all his friends”.

The keen runner is also described by his family as “a genuinely kind person that wore his heart on his sleeve”.

Having grown up in Ammanford in Wales, Jenkins was passionate about his Welsh heritage and was an avid Welsh rugby fan, rarely missing his team play at the Principality Stadium.

According to BBC Wales, Jenkins attended Oxford University, where he studied geography. Later, he moved to Walthamstow in London with his partner Rhiannon Cole and their 18-month-old daughter Mabli. Despite his daughter being brought up in Walthamstow, the family say she is already able to speak some Welsh.

Father of Stephen Jenkins, 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.”

A spokesperson has said on behalf of Run 4 Wales, ‘This is a terrible tragedy and our deepest sympathies go out to the runner’s family.”