Murray Walker was Hunter District Cycling Club’s popular Champion until his untimely death in 1972. His laconic, laid back exterior hid a tough and determined attitude to achieve. He was everyone’s friend and went out of his way to help people in all walks of life.
Murray was also a fierce competitor as shown by many cycling wins and cycling records. Murray won the King of The Mountains competition in the prestigious Dulux Tour of New Zealand and was regularly a highly regarded “A” grade competitor in NSW races.
He always rode in his local Club races for Hunter District and actively nurtured newer and younger riders, showing that he was still grounded despite his tremendous successes on a wider stage.
In the early 1970’s Murray turned to attempting to break long distance cycling records and after many years and many miles of training Murray broke 2 long standing records previously held by Australia’s famous cyclist Sir Hubert Opperman. First record to go was Newcastle -Sydney – Newcastle, and with that success Murray trained harder and then broke the Brisbane to Sydney record.
Murray had opened a bike shop in Wallsend and was working hard towards a successful business when he was lost to a road accident, leaving behind a wife and 2 young daughters.
Club and other local riders have competed for an annual trophy in his honour, the “Murray Walker Memorial” and this race keeps his memory alive.
Past winners
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