ATHLETICS: Javelin thrower Kim Mickle has been rewarded for a stellar 2013 campaign, edging out Sally Pearson to claim the Australian female athlete of the year award.

Mickle and 100m hurdling superstar Pearson both claimed silver medals at August's world athletics championships in Moscow.

For Mickle it was the culmination of a consistently successful year.

She had finished on the podium in a host of meets in the lead-up to the Moscow championships and then produced the best performance of her life on the biggest stage.

The West Australian smashed her personal best three times at the world titles, eventually claiming silver with 66.60m.

Pearson fought back brilliantly from two serious hamstring injuries to finish second in the 100m hurdles behind young American Brianna Rollins.

Australia's only other medallist at the world titles, walker Jared Tallent, was crowned male athlete of the year at a function at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Friday night.

Tallent finished third in the 50km walk - his fifth individual medal at world and Olympic level.

Jess Trengove's standout 11th-placed finish in the world championships marathon was recognised with her being named the Australian Flame athlete of the year.

Evan O'Hanlon and Angela Ballard won the para-athlete of the year awards and Mickle's mentor Grant Ward was voted the best coach of 2013.

AAP