Runner's son walks away with top prize

Tim Walker, right, with parents Sir John and Helen Walker. Photo / Doug Sherring

The youngest son of Olympic legend Sir John Walker has also won gold for New Zealand - as a musician.

Tim Walker won the International Artist of the Year award at the Australian Musicoz Awards at the Sydney Opera House this week.

The 23-year-old hoped his win would interest a major label, either here or in Australia.

"I have had interest from labels but up until now I have done everything on my own steam, so it would be great to be playing shows all the time," he said. "I don't have dreams of fame but I would love to be able to play music as a living. I don't want to be struggling."

Tim entered his singles Lullabies and Maybe Baby in the competition and was also a finalist for best video and best acoustic singer/songwriter.

Although Sir John Walker rose to fame running track, he didn't mind Tim walking the red carpet.

"I am extremely proud of him to win this out of 6000 contenders," Sir John, 60, said.

"He kept the fact he can sing very quiet and all of a sudden he wrote some songs, recorded some CDs and has done so well."

Sir John, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease shortly after retiring from running in the early 90s, said he could hold a tune but could not claim his son's talents were inherited.

"I wish I could sing, all of my children can sing but they didn't get it from me."