Frequently asked questions
What the challenge is, when it happens, how to donate and where the money goes. If your question is not here, just ask.
What is Tessa's 60 Mile Ultra Challenge?
Tessa's 60 Mile Ultra Challenge is a charity ultramarathon in which Tessa runs 59 to 60 miles around the Rossendale hills in Lancashire across a single night and morning, starting at 6:00pm on Saturday 5 September 2026.
The route is three laps of the 14 mile Limey Lane loop, run mostly in darkness, followed by the 18 mile Marl Pits route at dawn. Money raised goes to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team.
When and where is it?
It starts at 6:00pm on Saturday 5 September 2026 at Limey Lane in Rossendale, and is expected to finish around 1:00pm on Sunday 6 September 2026 at Rossendale Sports Club, Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, BB4 7SU.
The final 18 mile leg sets off from Marl Pits between 7:00am and 8:00am on the Sunday morning, which is the easiest time for spectators to be there.
How do I donate?
Donate by bank transfer to the Rotary Club of Rossendale charity account: sort code 20-55-41, account number 10577030, reference Tess RTHW.
There is no GoFundMe page for this challenge and no card payment on this website. The reference matters, because it tells the Rotary treasurer that your donation belongs to Tessa's challenge. Full donation instructions are here.
Who does the money go to?
All money raised goes to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, registered charity number 508209.
RPMRT is an entirely volunteer team covering around 350 square miles of East Lancashire, including Pendle Hill and the Rossendale valley, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The donation is held by the Rotary Club of Rossendale and passed to the team.
Why is there no GoFundMe page?
Because donating straight into the charity's own account means more of your money reaches the mountain rescue team.
Online fundraising platforms deduct payment processing fees and often prompt for an additional tip. A bank transfer to the Rotary Club of Rossendale account costs nothing to send and nothing to receive.
How does the pledge total on this site work?
The pledge form records what people say they intend to give, so the combined figure is an estimate rather than a bank balance.
The tracker shows two numbers: the confirmed amount that has actually landed in the Rotary account, and the amount pledged by visitors to this site. Making a pledge does not move any money. You still need to make the bank transfer using the reference Tess RTHW.
How far is 60 miles, really?
Sixty miles is roughly two and a half marathons run back to back, and in this case over Pennine hills rather than flat roads.
The goal time is 19 to 20 hours of continuous movement, which includes around nine hours of running in full darkness. For comparison, a strong runner completes the 18 mile Round the Hills route in about three hours fresh. Tessa will start that leg having already covered 42 miles without sleep.
What is the Rossendale Round the Hills Walk?
The Rossendale Round the Hills Walk is an annual community walk organised by the Rotary Club of Rossendale, first held in 1966 and run every year since.
It offers an 18 mile full route and a 14 mile shorter route, both starting and finishing at Rossendale Sports Club at Marl Pits. The 2024 edition drew 730 walkers. Tessa's challenge is built from those two routes, and the donation reference Tess RTHW stands for Tess, Round The Hills Walk.
Can I run or walk with Tessa?
Yes, but please arrange it in advance rather than turning up on the night.
Company through the dark hours makes a real difference on an ultra, and support runners are genuinely welcome. It needs planning so that the logistics work and nobody ends up stranded on a hillside at two in the morning. Get in touch and it can be sorted properly.
You can also simply enter the Round the Hills Walk itself on the Sunday morning and cover the 18 mile or 14 mile route alongside her.
Can I add Gift Aid to my donation?
Gift Aid adds 25p to every pound at no cost to you, but it needs a signed declaration that a bank transfer cannot capture on its own.
If you are a UK taxpayer and would like your donation Gift Aided, send a message through the contact page and we will send you the declaration form to complete.
Can my business sponsor the challenge?
Yes. Local businesses can sponsor a lap, contribute kit or supplies for the overnight support crew, match public donations, or simply put a poster up and tell customers about it.
Send a message and we will come back to you.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The challenge goes ahead in rain, wind and cold, all of which are likely in Rossendale in September.
It would only be changed for conditions that make the moorland genuinely unsafe, such as severe wind, lightning or thick fog on the tops. Any change would be posted on the event details page, and donations already made would be held for the rescheduled attempt rather than refunded.
Can I donate cash instead of a bank transfer?
Yes. There will be collection buckets at Marl Pits on the morning of Sunday 6 September, and cash given there goes to exactly the same place.
If you would rather give cash but cannot be there on the day, get in touch and it can be arranged.
How do I know this is legitimate?
The receiving account belongs to the Rotary Club of Rossendale, an established local Rotary club, and the money goes to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, registered charity number 508209, which anyone can look up on the Charity Commission register.
Nobody connected with this challenge will ever contact you asking for card details, online banking passwords or one time passcodes. If someone does, it is not us. Always check the sort code and account number against the donate page before sending anything.
Which running club does Tessa run with?
Tessa runs with Trawden Athletic Club, a club based in Pendle in East Lancashire.
Trawden AC welcomes runners of all ages and abilities and has been voted England Athletics North West Club of the Year and Pendle Sports Awards Team of the Year.
Still not sure about something?
Ask away. Questions about donating, about running a section, or about the mountain rescue team are all welcome.
