In the Face of Adversity: A new true and dramatic short story by Debbie Jordan.

By Don Hale


In the Face of Adversity: A short story by Debbie Jordan.

 A special Coast and Country book review.












































































*Now available via Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RhzR3a
This is a true story of a woman who has gone through more than any one person deserves in a lifetime. She has faced a traumatic childhood followed by fighting for her life on more than one occasion. The trauma and events of her life are unbelievable but through it all she has never given up fighting, and at the age of 62 she has finally come to terms with it all and is able to tell her story.
donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026
coastandcountry.blog






Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

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Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle - results round up.

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...
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Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026.

By Don Hale
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Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...
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Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th Sept on Llandudno prom.

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above - flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom and (*below) members of the RNLI team at Llandudno near their lifeboat station. Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th September on Llandudno prom. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There are just a limited number of entries still available for the RNLI  5k charity race set for Llandudno Promenade starting at 11am on Sunday 20th September 2026. Race organiser  John Hatton  challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for this popular charity run, hosted by  Llandudno RNLI!  *Description:  A fast and flat course for both distances. The race starts and finishes on Llandudno Promenade, close to the Lifeboat Station. Entries are limited to 350 entries for the 5km and 100 entries for the 1km starting at 10.30am. *Race HQ:  RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Colwyn Road...
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Last chance to enter BMAF T&F championships at Derby 11-13th September 2026.

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above - the Moorways Stadium at Derby. LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE BMAF T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog URGENT MESSAGE FROM KEVIN WHITE AT BMAF: Thank you to everyone who has entered the BMAF Track & Field champs which are taking place in Derby from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th Sept. For those of you who have been thinking about it but have not yet entered:  ENTRIES CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY - 30th AUGUST. BMAF Track & Field Championship ​  Summarise ​ Contact Details:  bmaf@opentrack.run Please contact the organiser, not OpenTrack, for all queries Start Lists  Enter Here 7 hours, 42 min to go   Competitors   (740) Competition Dates: 11 – 13 September 2026, Moorways, Derby This event will be held over 3 full days. It will include all the events that used to be incorporated in the timetable in the ‘older days’ together with an additional 3000m.  There will also be heats and finals in both th...
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Quality athletes and fast times at the new Padarn 5k race.

By Don Hale
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FAST TIMES AND AGE CATEGORY WINS AT MARSH TRACKS 5K

By Don Hale
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By Don Hale
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North Wales parkrun results round-up

By Don Hale
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Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

By Don Hale
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North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above - Martin Green and Steve Gardner in the red vests for Wales against England in the Masters 3000m race at Deeside. And (*below) some other action shots. North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race... Report by Don Hale.  Photos and results supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the Masters 3000m international meeting at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night. Talented veterans’ Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) and  Steve Gardner  (NWRRC) celebrated good performances, with Martin finishing second in his MV50 age cat in 9.49, whilst Steve won his MV60 cat in 10.10. After his race, Steve Gardner confirmed:  “ I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year  - old athletes in one ...
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