Family’s grief after death at half marathon
THREE days after tragedy struck at the finish line of the Cardiff Half Marathon, a grieving family has returned to the scene where two runners took their last ever steps.
Ben McDonald from the Vale of Glamorgan was taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon for the first time on Sunday.
But the 25-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest after crossing the finish line on Sunday and later died in hospital.
So too did Dean Fletcher, 32, from Exeter after suffering the same fate.
Ben was taking part alongside his brother Andrew, his girlfriend Amy, brother Steve, brother in-law Paddy and sisters-in-law Kate and Alix.
Ben’s big sister Vicki and parents Ruth and Paul were all cheering them on at the sidelines. Yesterday all nine left a beautiful, heartbreaking tribute at the spot where he collapsed.
Ben’s family walked the last 200m of the half marathon route to lay flowers at the finish. They also laid bouquets on behalf of the family of Dean Fletcher.
Meanwhile, a Justgiving page set up to raise £1,000 in memory of Ben has raised over £12,000 in just two days.
Money raised will be donated to ‘Maternity Africa,’ a charity in Tanzania.
A statement on the website, reads: “If you knew Ben, then you will know what Ben McDonald suffered a cardiac arrest and died after taking part in Sunday’s Cardiff half marathon an incredible and beautiful person he was.
“If you would like to do something in his honour please donate to ‘Maternity Africa,’ a charity in North Tanzania, promoting safe childbirth.”
The hospital is run by a long-term family friend, who delivered Ben as a baby 25 years ago.
Father-of-one Dean Fletcher had also set up a fundraising page in order to raise money for research into neuroscience and mental health at Cardiff University.
He set a target of £600 but currently it has raised £4,052. Tributes have also poured in on his page.