‘I want Ben to be remembered for the happy, smiley, adventurous, loving person that he was...’
Girlfriend’s heartbreaking tribute after two men die in half marathon
THE two young runners who died after completing the Cardiff Half Marathon have been named.
Ben McDonald, 25, from the Vale of Glamorgan, and dad-of-one Dean Fletcher, 32, from Exeter, both suffered cardiac arrests after crossing the finish line on Sunday.
The pair were taken to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW), Cardiff, but medics were unable to save them.
Ben, who was taking part in the race for the first time, was running alongside girlfriend Amy, brothers Steve and Andrew, brother-in-law Paddy and sisters-in-law Kate and Alix.
The Cardiff Met graduate had worked at the Cardiff White Water Centre in Cardiff Bay since the age of 16, qualified as a teacher and was a keen bodyboarder, snowboarder and kayaker.
His girlfriend Amy Stanton Foo said she “could not imagine life without him”.
She said: “I want him to be remembered for the happy, smiley,
adventurous, loving person that he was – it’s what he would’ve wanted.
“Words can’t describe the heartbreak and devastation myself and his family are going through...
“It’s been an absolute honour to call you my boyfriend Benny, and I really can’t imagine my life without you. I love you, sleep tight.”
Heartfelt tributes to the 25-yearold have been posted on social media, including one from Jude Holden which read: “He will remain in my heart a man of beauty, grace, flare, thoughtfulness and fun.
“We miss you Benny but we will see you again.”
Melanie Ryan wrote: “Absolutely tragic news. My thoughts are with you.”
Dean Fletcher was a father-of-one and leaves behind wife Katie and young daughter Evie.
He had previously studied at Cardiff University and was fundraising for “life-changing research into neuroscience and mental health”, a subject he said was “very close to my heart”.
After graduating from Cardiff University with a first-class honours degree in accounting and finance, Dean moved to Exeter, where he enjoyed a successful accountancy career.
He was described as an “amazing husband and father”.
On his Justgiving page , he wrote: “Please help me raise vital funds to help support Cardiff University undertake life changing research into neuroscience and mental health.
“A subject very close to my heart and one that has probably impacted all of us in one way or another either personally or through friends and family. Let’s help smart people change the world for the better!
“I am a physical mess. I need help. Please donate and make this worthwhile and if one of my knees falls off, which is likely, the highest donation gets it for keeps.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University Professor Karen Holford added: “This news will come as a shock to everybody involved with Team Cardiff and indeed the whole Cardiff University community
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the families and friends involved.”
Chief executive of Run 4 Wales Matt Newman, who organised the Cardiff Half Marathon, said this was a “terrible tragedy” for both families.
He said: “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of both Ben and Dean.
“The medical team and emergency services reacted to this terrible situation with great speed and professionalism.
“Everyone connected with the race is devastated.
“We are in close contact with the families and will continue to support them in every way we can.
“We ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
Matt said there was nothing his medical team could have done to prevent the deaths of the two runners.
They were both treated at a medical facility in Cathays Park before being taken by ambulance to UHW.
Mr Newman confirmed that the two men were the first fatalities in the 15-year history of the race.
He said he travelled with one of the runners’ families to the hospital as medics tried to keep him alive.
After being left “completely devastated” by the two deaths, he said a thorough review would be conducted into what happened. “It was a horrendous afternoon that none of us wanted to live through,” he said.
“The whole team at Run 4 Wales are completely devastated with the news that unfolded and our thoughts and priorities are with the two families involved.”
He said he was made aware of the two incidents at around noon, just after the medal presentation for the Commonwealth Championships was held.
“Our medical team responded within seconds and were able to take both gentlemen to our primary medical centre – which is basically like a full A&E unit – located no more than 20 metres from the finish line,” he said.
“The resuscitation process started there and then, and both gentlemen were quickly transferred to the University Hospital of Wales.”
This is the seventh time Run 4 Wales has been in charge of the Cardiff Half Marathon, with the event taking a full 12 months to plan.
Mr Newman said the run, which is the UK’s second most popular half marathon, is reviewed every year by its medical director.
He added: “We have a team of 10 doctors in place, and we have medics deployed around the course because incidents can happen anywhere along the 13.1-mile route. We also have a huge deployment of St John’s Ambulance.
“So a whole plan is in place to deal with any eventuality, but this is the first time we’ve had to deal with something of this nature.
“The medical team acted with complete professionalism and there was absolutely nothing more that could have been done.
“We always have a report on the number of people who sought medical attention, whether that be from hydration-related issues, to cramps to pulled muscles throughout the course.
“We are absolutely confident that our deployment on the day could not have been better.”
He said running conditions were “perfect” on Sunday – and ruled out heat playing a part in their deaths.
He added: “The weather literally could not have been better both for the Commonwealth Championships and for the mass of runners following behind them.
“Heat would certainly not have been an issue as other events throughout the summer have suffered with.
“We are in no position at the moment to speculate [about what happened to the runners].
“We make sure runners are informed of all the things they need to put in place from a health perspective, that they have trained properly and that they are aware of any health issues and to notify us of those prior to the event.”
To donate money in memory of Ben McDonald, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/in-memory-of-ben-mcdonald