Tributes have been paid to a tragic runner who dropped dead during a half marathon.
Paul Smith, 25, was taking part in the Great West Run in Exeter, Devon, when he suddenly collapsed on Sunday.
Paramedics rushed to his aid and desperately tried to resuscitate him before he was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Paul, of Exeter, Devon, was the former manager of rock nightclub The Junction in Plymouth, where he attended a closing-down party the night before his death.
Band promoter Marc ‘Cuz’ Cussen said: ”Paul was a nice guy, very quiet and kept himself to himself.
”He was passionate about music and loved his job. He liked his metal and rock, and a bit of everything. It’s shocking, 25 is no age.
”To be with him on Saturday night, having a drink and to find the next day he’s dead, it’s shaken me to the core really.”
Guitarist pal Gary Platts said: ”The whole music fraternity is in meltdown. It’s dreadful. He was a nice, genuine, human being. A pleasure to know.
”He was a very popular individual, he will be sadly missed.”
Paul lived in Scandinavia until he was 11 when the family returned to Plymouth and stayed in the city for another six years before going to Exeter.
In 2004 Mr Smith returned to Plymouth, studying hospitality management at City College Plymouth as part of a two-year foundation degree.
He worked at the Dog and Duck pub in Mutley before becoming bar manager at The Junction.
