Pawel takes on Cape Wrath in memory of his dad
Mallaig action man Pawel Cymbalista is powering up for his latest challenge which involves running the UK’s toughest long-distance hiking route.
The 35-year-old father of two not only plans to be the first to record and complete the Cape Wrath Trail unsupported but to break the supported record of three days, 23 hours, 45 minutes and 19 seconds. The trail distance is 230 miles (370km) with an elevation of 39,000ft (12000m).
Running in the memory of his father Wacław Cymbalista, who passed away just before Christmas last year, Pawel will start his latest challenge from Fort William on Wednesday April 5 and will carry everything he needs himself from start to finish.
The following evening he will be running under the light of a full pink moon.
A harvest technician at Mallaig Harvest Station – Mowi, Pawel began training for his Cape Wrath challenge last year by tackling the classic routes to Fort William, creating The Highland 4 in the process.
In whatever time he has left, he runs, explores, spends time with his wife Ashley and children Freya and Maiya, and spends time in the garden growing vegetables.
“I can’t sit for too long,” he said.
“Training is going well. I feel the fittest I have ever been right now and working smart to improve even more.
“All my family and friend are on board supporting this crazy idea, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Pawel grew up in Poland and graduated from the Higher School of Vacancies in Piła with a bachelors degree in English studies. During his university years he started to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol, gaining weight and almost reaching 100kg at his peak.
In November 2013 he left Poland and came to the Scottish Highlands to change his whole life.
Taking up the story Pawel said: “I started running along the concrete path on the Fort William bypass on December 13, 2013.
“I remember like it was yesterday trying to catch my breath, struggling to breathe and feeling a lot of pain in my lungs and body.”
That day Pawel quit smoking, minimised his alcohol intake, and joined Lochaber Athletic Club in March 2014.
On August 8, 2020, Pawel completed the Charlie Ramsay Round, a 24-hour mountain challenge in which you have 24 hours to climb 24 mountains, run the distance of 95km with 8800m of elevation on very hard technical terrain.
“It went on from there and it still goes pretty darn good,” he said.
Not one to pass up a fundraising opportunity either, Pawel has set up a Go Fund Me page with all monies raised going to Lochaber Hope.
Fundraiser link. https:// gofund.me/7fcf725d.