A man who died after running the Cardiff half marathon has been described by his family as “the best dad in the world”.
Run 4 Wales confirmed in a statement that Stephen Jenkins, 37, died after suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing at the finish line of the event on Sunday.
Mr Jenkins grew up in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, but later moved to London where he lived with his partner Rhiannon Cole and their 18-month-old daughter Mabli.
His parents Karen and Dyfrig Jenkins said he was a “wonderful son to us throughout his life” and “the best dad in the world”.
They said he was “a friend to everyone” and “wore his heart on his sleeve”.
Mr Jenkins was a “keen runner and cyclist and very passionate about Welsh rugby”.
He and his grandfather had “rarely missed a game” at Principality Stadium in Cardiff since it opened.
“He was also extremely passionate about his Welsh roots and the Welsh language,” his parents added.
“Although his daughter is being brought up in Walthamstow, she can already speak some Welsh.”
The medical emergency team treated Mr Jenkins at the scene, before he was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
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More than 29,000 people signed up to take part across all races in Sunday’s event, according to its organisers.
Matt Newman, chief executive at Run 4 Wales, said “the thoughts of everyone connected with the race” were with Mr Jenkins’ family and friends.
“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,” he added.
“Run 4 Wales works with bereavement support charity, 2Wish, who will continue to support Stephen’s family and friends.”
