Olympic and world champion
The street meet took place just four days after 22 people were killed and another 116 injured by a suicide bomber at a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande in the northern English city.
There was a minute's silence before the event for the victims of Monday's attack.
On a specially laid track on Deansgate, Pearson won the 100m hurdles in 12.81 seconds and also finished a close second in the flat 100m behind Britain's Asha Philip.
"It was good to get second and then win the hurdles but the hurdles was so rusty," said Pearson.
"I know I haven't raced since April 2 so I shouldn't be too disappointed but we're athletes and we always want more.
"A win's a win and you take it, but times for me mean more than anything."
Pearson said the atmosphere was fantastic, with a crowd of 20,000 watching on in Albert Square and Deansgate.
"I wasn't expecting anything less, to be honest," she said.
"I think the English are a bit like the Australians and we're pretty resilient - we want to get out there and show the world that we're here, we're strong and we're standing together.
"It was nice to feel that out there and everyone being very supportive."
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