LAUNCESTON'S streets were a sea of pink yesterday for the eighth edition of the Women's 5k Walk and Run.

But the winner of the race almost didn't make it to the starting line.

It was only late last week that Hobart runner Mel Daniels realised the event was on this weekend, and she was in Launceston only by luck, to watch her sister play netball.

Daniels beat home Launceston's Kate Pedley to take the race, with Lisa Barnett third.

"I knew it was going to be a tough race against Kate, as it is always a tough race, and we ran together most of the way, although I did find it a little bit difficult through the hills," Daniels said.

"But I had enough energy left for the home straight. I love competing against Kate and she's a really strong athlete and I'm really happy with the win.

"This race is great, as it raises money for a good cause and it is great to see so many people out here having fun."

The annual event, which starts and finishes in City Park, raises awareness and money for women's cancer.

It featured a mini-field of pink women, with 200 silhouettes in the park.

Competitor numbers were down this year, with almost 1400 taking part, in comparison to 2200 last year.

Organisers believe "event fatigue", considering the number of activities in the city in recent times, may have played a part.

"But we appreciate the fact that 1400 people turned out, and we hope that number grows again next year," event co-ordinator Jess Sattler said.

"It still took five minutes to get all of the participants over the start line and Cameron Street looked amazing as a sea of pink, and it didn't really feel like there were any less people."

Arabella Phillips won the under-16 race, with Thomas Snooks winning the Prostate 8 men's 800-metre sprint, which was held before the main race.

Ms Sattler said it would not be known for few days how much the event had raised, but the Cancer Council had already raised about $5000 from activities around the day.