Richard Askwith
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Richard Askwith

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Richard Askwith is a mostly unremarkable middle-aged Englishman with some strong passions, including running, freedom, the countryside and writing. His books tend to have sporting themes. For example: his cult book about fell-running, FEET IN THE CLOUDS (2004), which won him the Best New Writer prize at the British Sports Publishing Awards and was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award; or his 2019 book, UNBREAKABLE: THE COUNTESS, THE NAZIS AND THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS HORSE-RACE, which won Biography of the Year at the 2020 Telegraph Sports Book Awards. Both books are being developed as films. Richard's acclaimed 2016 book, TODAY WE DIE A LITTLE, is the definitive biography of Emil Zátopek, Olympic legend, Cold War hero and, many believe, the greatest runner of all time. It was shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Awards. Two years earlier, RUNNING FREE: A RUNNER'S JOURNEY BACK TO NATURE (2014) was short-listed for the Thwaites Wainwright Prize. Richard's latest book, THE RACE AGAINST TIME, describes an unexpectedly inspiring journey of discovery: a search for the secrets of happy, healthy, whole-life running. Published on 12 January 2023, it mixes science, reportage, interview, memoir and reckless participation to show how runners don’t have to lose hope just because age is eroding their powers. Richard, who is in his early sixties, considers himself reborn as a runner as a result of the experiences that went into this book, and he hopes that others will find his subject matter equally rejuvenating. Richard's other books include THE LOST VILLAGE: IN SEARCH OF A FORGOTTEN RURAL ENGLAND (2008; named Non-Fiction Book of the Year in the 2009 Saga Grown-Up Awards); and PEOPLE POWER: REMAKING PARLIAMENT FOR THE POPULIST AGE (2018), a short, radical proposal (part of Biteback's "Provocations" series) for reforming British politics. He is also co-author of LET IT GO (2012 & 2019), Dame Stephanie Shirley's inspiring account of her life as a champion of women's rights and philanthropy. And he has edited several books - including the acclaimed A HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR IN 100 MOMENTS (2014) - for The Independent, where he worked from 1993 to 2016 in a number of senior roles including Executive Editor and Associate Editor.
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