An inspirational international rugby player turned extreme endurance athlete and TV presenter is visiting Exeter and Llanelli to talk about his exploits.
Richard Parks, who became the first person to climb the highest mountain on each continent plus stand on all three poles (North, South, and Everest summit) within the same year, is speaking as part of the Kendal Mountain Tour and will share the joys and moments of despair that made up his gruelling challenge.
Formerly a player in the Welsh international rugby squad, following an injury which ended his rugby career, Parks first made history in 2011 with his ‘737 Challenge’ which he achieved in under seven months. In 2014, Parks became the fastest Briton in history to ski solo and unsupported from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole, taking nine days off the previous British record and becoming the first Welshman to complete this iconic expedition. His journey was broadcast on Channel 5, and since then his TV career has taken off, presenting several series profiling extreme adventures.
Parks will be speaking at Exeter Corn Exchange on 16th June and Theatrau Sir Gar in Llanelli on 17th June 2022. The events are part of the Kendal Mountain Festival UK Tour, and feature films and extra entertainment. Steve Scott, director of Kendal Mountain Festival, presents the Tour events and says, “‘Kendal’ is all about adventure; stories of extreme human endurance, breathtaking environments and adrenaline-fuelled excitement. Our Tour events are mini-Festivals that distil this spirit of adventure and exploration into one unique evening.”
Tickets are available via the Tour website or, for Exeter, from the Corn Exchange website.
Can’t make this date? Here’s the rest of the Tour:
- Canterbury: Wednesday 22nd June
- Brighton: Thursday 23rd June
- Kings Lynn: 24th June
- Kendal: Wednesday 29th June
