AFTER three months, 10 races and a combined total of 68 energy-sapping miles, the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series has finally come to an end.

A series that started on the hills of Earby in May, ended on the moors of Worthorne last weekend -- and there were plenty of ups and downs in between.

But for Clayton pair, Neil Worswick and Tracy Mitchell, the ups far outweighed the downs as they clinched the men's and ladies titles for the first time.

While Worswick's victory was all down to hard work, Mitchell was by far the pick of the lady runners.

Mitchell competed in all 10 races, didn't finish outside the top four and won four races along the way.

Worswick in contrast, crossed the line first in just one race but finished no lower the eighth in the remaining nine races to take to the title.

Event co-ordinator, Jack Bottomley, paid tribute to the both Neil and Tracy and said they were a fine example to all 'good, solid club runners'.

"It is fantastic to see two good, solid club runners win the titles.

"That is not taking anything away from Neil and Tracy because they have shown great consistency over the past few months and fully deserve their overall victories.

"Tracy will be very pleased with her four victories while winning the Barley Fell race was the undoubted highlight for Neil."

Jack added: "The fact that is it the first time either of them have won the titles makes it all the more special. The two of them are great people and I could not have wish this success on a nicer pair."

The Grand Prix series, now in its 19th year, started back in mid-May with the Pinhaw Fell Race in Earby where Blackburn Road Runner, Thomas Cornthwaite won the first of his four races with Helen Sedgewick of Ilkey the first lady home.

Worswick started off with a seventh place while Clayton team-mate Mitchell was fourth.

But Mitchell didn't have to wait too long to chalk up her debut victory of the series, coming home first in the Burnley Lions 10k while Worswick again finished in seventh place.

At the Kelbrook Fell race, Mitchell finished the three mile race in second place behind Clayton team-mate Anna Kelly with Worswick also enjoying a runner-up spot.

Next up was the Burnley Boys Club 10k where only Amy Green of Keighley finished ahead of Mitchell while Worwick took fourth place with Cornthwaithe making it three wins in three appearances.

Mitchell then took control of the ladies section by winning the next three events, coming home first in the Hendon Brook -- at 13.5 miles, the longest of the races -- the Pendle Hill Challenge and the Barley Fell.

Worswick was eighth at Hendon Brook, where Robin Whitley of Asic West was the winner, before he too stamped his authority on the series by following up with a second place on Pendle Hill before a deserved victory over six miles in the Barley Fell Race.

The series concluded with three races in a week.

Paul Guinan of Blackburn Harriers won the Cliviger Road Race with Worswick in fifth place

Mitchell won her fourth race in a time of 41.09.

Cornthwaite won the Trawden Seven with Amy Green the first lady.

Worswick and Mitchell both finished third.

And the Worthorne Moor Fell race was won by Andrew Hartley of Clayton with Green winning her third ladies race.

But they day and series belonged to Worswick and Mitchell who finished in eighth and fourth place respectively.

Alison Smith won the ladies veteran's award while Chorley Harrier, Mark Ellithorn won the men's title.

The Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix Series presentation night will take place at Barrowford CiviC Hall on Friday from 8pm.