Sometimes you have to go out and find races, and sometimes they’re dropped right in your lap. The Tessitura Network convention almost always offers a free 5K (ish) to attendees. While it’s a bit loosey-goosey by some race standards, I can never resist a free race!
Perhaps these “ish” and “loosey-goosey” qualifiers sound like damning with faint praise. I can assure you I don’t mean it like that; you get wait you pay for, and you can’t be mad about free, right? But I did notice some people finding my previous race recaps through Google search for the Tessitura Network 5K in advance of the conference this year. As an anxiety-ridden planner, I get it. People seek out race recaps in part to set accurate expectations. That’s what I intend to do here.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE TESSITURA NETWORK 5K
The first thing to know about this conference 5K is that anyone can do it any time up to the point it starts. They didn’t even hand out bibs in advance; the guy I talked to said people kept losing them in advance, so they decided to distribute them morning of. Even if you didn’t pre-commit, you can show up race morning, sign a waiver, grab a bib, and run.
The second is that it’s very no-frills, and very much subject to the limitations of the host hotel/location. Last year we did a series of loops in the parking lot. This year was an out-and-back, although a picturesque one. In fact, it was basically the same as the last time the conference took place in DC. Maybe you’d rather read about 2016? I think the details will remain markedly similar!
THE 2024 TESSITURA NETWORK 5K
If you’re committed to the 2024 version, however, let’s get to it. The 5K was scheduled to start at 7:30am. I arrived around 7:10am, and still numbered among the first to arrive. The conference hotel was at the National Harbor right by the water, and having picked up our bibs, we gathered by the boat rental pier to await the start.
The race did start about ten minutes late, probably to give conference-goers more time to get their bibs and get situated. There was a bit of confusion around the exact start point, and standing toward the back of the group I was unable to hear the guy shouting instructions at the head. I’ve done this race enough to know the gist, though. Some of it is stuff about safety, I’m sure, plus a reminder that as the bibs are not chipped, gun time is all you got. Anybody who hoped to actually win said race needed to start at the front.
I was under no delusions of winning anything, so I wasn’t particularly worried. When the herd moved forward, I moved too, and when I passed the 5K start sign I fired up the ol’ GPS watch and began to run. I had to do some dodging around people to start, but the crowd thinned out quickly enough that I didn’t feel hemmed in long.
Most of the course was along a lovely trail next to the Potomac River, which lovely views to match. I managed to take some pictures for you and everything! The nice thing is that this trail is accessible for runs any time you want to visit. The path was open to other pedestrians during the race, and we did pass some very confused dog walkers and morning joggers headed in the opposite direction.
After some time on the path, we crossed a bridge; then around the halfway point we encountered a steep incline onto a spiraling structure that I believe will take you over the highway or something? I’m not sure what it’s for, but it’s a ramp, not stairs. A conference worker instructed us to around at that point, and we enjoyed a bit of pleasant downhill time before heading back the same way we came along the river.
There wasn’t much in the way of course support. No water stops, and the only spectators were conference hosts at a view sporadic points along the path as well as the start/finish. Those sequin suit guys in particular were giving it their all, though!
More conference workers ushered us to the finish with cowbells and cheering. There was definitely enough heart for a full 5K, just not, technically, the mileage – I clocked just about three miles even. There was a bit of path still to spare past the finish that would’ve allowed me to keep running if I really wanted that point one extra, but I decided, eh, that’s good enough. Like I said, free, right? And no chip time to worry about anyway. Not even a medal. A bib and a memory.
Post race refreshments included water, juice, and Gatorade, but no snacks.
IN CONCLUSION
In short: this Tessitura 5K was like every Tessitura 5K I’ve run. You could ding it on any number of technicalities by comparison to a “real” race, the kind with chip times and water stops and age group awards and all that jazz. On the other hand, as I say, it’s more an event meant for the memory. You’re there to commune with your fellows and get a little exercise in. You get out what you put in.
In fact, I would suggest that it would be the perfect first race for somebody who just isn’t 100% sure about this whole running thing but would nevertheless like to give it a try. It’s about as low key as it gets without dissolving all organization entirely. Walkers are more than welcome. And did I mention it’s free?
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