PAUL Mills impressively led home the 17-strong squad of Blue Vests at the Central Lancashire Grand Prix finale, finishing 15th overall and clinching the series’ M50 title in the process.

Chris Pickford was hot on his heels around the five miles of Astley and Tyldesley’s Gin Pit, while endurance coach Dean Johnson was third counter in wet and muddy conditions. Junior Rachel Bailey was first for the women's team.

The team was boosted by several athletes returning for the first time this season in dedication to Geoff Knowles and it was a hint of what might have been as BUH&AC finished without the A Team prize for the first time in seven years with Burnden Road Runners taking a clean sweep of the four titles.

Individually, Tommy Harrison claimed the men’s overall series victory, while Ken Fowler (M60) joined Mills as a category winner.

BUH&AC results: Paul Mills 31:01, Christian Pickford 31:47, Dean Johnson 34:00, Gary Jones 35:10, Nick Howarth 35:44, David Chrystal 35:45, Cameron Donnelly 35:52, Ian Gregory 37:25, Rachel Bailey 38:03, Andrew Gallagher 39:17, John Grimshaw 41:28, Alex Donnelly 41:59, Cath Jones 42:44, Adrienne Fisher 45:38, Gail Harrison 45:47, Gerard Tucker 51:00, Jane Jim 61:46.