A sea of pink, big smiles and plenty of laughs hit Tauranga’s waterfront on Wednesday for the annual Hot Pink Walk.

More than 4000 walkers were expected to gather at the southern end of The Strand, opposite Crown & Badger, for a relaxed 3km stroll around the edge of the CBD.

Breast Cancer Support Service Trust Tauranga chief executive Lisa Hulton said the Hot Pink Walk was a big event in Tauranga each year, and the “momentum just keeps growing”.

Hulton said people are what make the Hot Pink Walk – which supports the work of Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust – so special. “When our community turns up dressed in pink, people with breast cancer and their whānau feel seen and supported.

“It turns awareness into action – every registration and donation helps fund local, practical support during treatment and recovery."

A resident who observed the walk described it as "a lot of fun and the atmosphere was fantastic". Photo / Alison Pin

Tauranga resident Alison Pin was out for dinner along The Strand and said watching the walk was “a lot of fun”.

She said the atmosphere was fantastic and she couldn’t help but dance along to the music.

“I didn’t do the walk, was just out having Thai for dinner. The band music was fantastic.”