ADVENTURER Richard Parks has won the Cross Rugby Book of the Year award for Beyond the Horizon.

The book tells the story of how Richard, an Old Monmothian, with his professional rugby career curtailed by injury, set off to tackle some of the world's most difficult challenges.

Aged 31, Richard's successful career had been cut short with a shoulder injury and he was devastated with no future for himself in sight.

A line from his grandmother's funeral, which he'd had tattooed on the inside of his arm, was to give Richard inspiration though. He decided that, instead of letting the injury put his life on hold permanently, he would start a new life for himself as an adventurer.

Within two years he had become the first person to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents and ski to the North and South Poles in the same calendar year –- completing the 737 Challenge in less than seven months.

He is now one of the world's leading extreme-environment athletes.

Beyond the Horizon is the story of his fight back from the injury that changed his life and the endurance required to complete the challenge in some of the wildest and most extraordinary locations on the planet.

As one of a shortlist of six, Richard beat the likes of Rhodri Davies' Undefeated, The Test by Brian O'Driscoll and Gareth Thomas' Proud – which went on to win the Cross Autobiography of the Year, to the Rugby Book of the Year prize at the awards evening on Wednesday 3rd June.

"It's not often that I am dumbstruck, but hearing my name announced as the winner was such an incredible surprise," said Richard.

"I was genuinely proud to have just been nominated alongside so many other amazing books.

"Rugby has given me so much and played such a big part in who I am and what I have been able to achieve in this chapter of my life, so to win the award for Rugby Book of the Year is a huge honour."

"Obviously I am personally proud of Beyond the Horizon but like everything I have achieved, its success is the result of the incredible team I have around me. This award is for so many people, although the actual trophy will live in my lounge!

"I can remember how difficult it was editing the acknowledgment section in my book as there are so many people that have played such a big part in my journey, but it's important on a night like this that I thank Michael Alywin and Adam Strange for their passion, belief and patience."

Richard's winning book will now go forward to compete for the overall prize of Cross British Sports Book of the Year.