2 minute read
Great Glen Running Machine
Iain Ferguson
PaWel rUnS Great Glen in neW reCorD tiMe reCorD tiMe
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Just a few months after his record-breaking 24-hour Ben Nevis challenge, breaking all records by completing seven ascents and descents, action man Pawel Cymbalista from Mallaig has broken another athletic record by running the Great Glen Way in just over 11-and-a-half hours. Described by his friends as ‘A Running Machine’, Pawel set off from his home at 3.45am being driven to Inverness for the 7am start to his 79-mile run, from Inverness Castle to the Old Fort in Fort William, in as fast a time as possible.
The previous record for the route was set in December 2020, by athlete Daniel RoweLeete in a time of 13 hours 25 minutes and one second, Pawel shaving just under two hours off this to become the new record holder. Pawel had been quietly preparing for the run for a few weeks, without really letting on to his family why his runs were gradually increasing in length until he felt he was ready. Originally he had intended to set off on the previous day but delayed when the forecast was for heavy rain and string winds – which proved to be right, so certainly a wise move.
While he ran most of the route alone, his brother-in-law Ryan drove the route ahead of him to man food and drink stations at various points. His friend Markus, also met up with him from time to time, running alongside chatting and joking as a diversion from the running.
Pawel said: “I don’t think Markus stopped talking all the time he was with me, but didn’t get many answers. He really kept me going when he met up with me on the fi nal stage into Fort William, as just about Lochyside my legs started to feel so heavy and his chat distracted me from this.
the time he was with me, but didn’t get many answers. He fi nal stage into Fort William, as just about Lochyside my legs started to feel so heavy and his chat distracted me from this. “I knew about the record and set out to beat it, but that wasn’t the main reason for doing this – I just liked the challenge and, of course, running. It was a great run and I really enjoyed it. I have nothing planned at the moment, but sure I will fi nd another challenge sometime.”
