A race of resilience
On Saturday 2 May, Dave Wilmott lined up for the 2026 Four Square Hanmer Half Marathon, after being told he wouldn’t walk again. His story is what the iconic race stands for – resilience.
When Christchurch runner Dave Willmott traced the trail that weaves through some of Hanmer’s most iconic landscapes, he was defying the words of hospital doctors following a freak cycling accident in 2023. A flat tire during a 100km bike ride took him to the pavement – and he stayed there until paramedics got him on a stretcher.
“They said I might never walk properly again… but I was determined to do it.
“I had nine nights in the hospital, two six-hour blood transfusions, and multiple surgeries. I suffered a severe femur fracture, so I now have a titanium rod that runs the full length of my right femur,” he says. Two-and-a-half years later, Dave says crossing the finish line on 2 May was about proving to himself what he’s capable of.
Before he was able to set foot on a course, Dave’s day-to-day was about getting the strength back to walk just around his hospital bed. “I was reduced to tears by the time I made it there, throught he pain and effort,” he remembers. Just months after undergoing brutal surgeries, Dave was getting around a 5km Park Run course on crutches. He says most similar fractures don’t heal, but thanks to his surgeon Tim Chuang, his did. Despite being unable to raise his leg completely, and with a handful of gnarly hardware still holding bones together, Dave is the perfect example of never giving up.
Following a fifth-place in his category at the 2026 Christchurch Marathon with his best time since the 1990s, Dave finished first at the Hanmer Half for his category. “Hanmer is a beautiful course,” he says.
He was joined by more than 2000 runners, walkers and joggers – a 50% increase on last year’s 1300 participants, with some travelling from as far as France, Germany and the United States to lace up. A portion of each entry fee supports the Hanmer Springs Community Trust, with close to $25,000 being donated this year. Established in 1994, the Trust provides health and welfare services for the local community, including the Hanmer Springs Health Centre, Meals on Wheels and Hanmer Events. Its recent work includes the development of a new rescue helicopter helipad.
In its 43rd year, the event was expected to deliver a $2.25 million boost to the region. “The Hanmer Half has all the right ingredients – incredible scenery, a relaxed alpine feel, and a course that really showcases the best of the forest and surrounding trails,” says Belinda Farmer, Managing Director of Nduro Events, which delivers the Hanmer Half on behalf of the Hanmer Springs Community Trust.
