New record for seven times up Ben Nevis in 24 hours

The dad-of-two works for a fish farm company and has been raising funds for Mallaig Shop and Community Hub, an initiative to redevelop a former Spar shop.

It already has a Post Office and work is ongoing to create spaces for community use.

Mr Cymbalista’s wife Ashley is project manager.

“I run up mountains to raise money for the hub,” he said.

Ten years ago he said he was stuck in an unhealthy lifestyle.

“I was overweight, drinking too much and I smoked 20 cigarettes a day for seven years. I tried to change my habit many times, but it was hard,” he said.

Mr Cymbalista, who is originally from Poland, had first started smoking when he was 18 and on a visit to Fort William.

“Maybe it was because of the midgies,” he joked.

He later returned to Scotland to find work and gave up cigarettes a month after after moving to Fort William.

“I have not touched a cigarette since December 2013,” he said.

Working outdoors in a forestry job and then joining Lochaber Athletics Club helped turn his life around.

Mr Cymbalista said: “You can’t smoke cigarettes if you want to run.”

He added: “I had more energy, felt better and food tastes started to taste nice.”