Ribblesdale Wanderers and Clitheroe were snapping at their heels, but the Arbories club knew that a washout would leave them on top of the world.
The only game to get a start was at Barnoldswick where Whalley were struggling on 75-8 when the rain came.
But that had no effect on the outcome of the championship. Padiham skipper Neil Anderson said: ``In some ways it was a bit of an anticlimax, we would have loved to have gone out there and won it on the field. However it is absolutely marvellous to win the championship under any circumstances.
``We have had a superb season, apart from the weather, with some brilliant all round performances. Everybody has played their part at different times in the season, the team spirit has been marvellous and the whole squad has really pulled together.''
Padiham last won the championship in 1995 and the latest win has set the club up for next season.
Secretary Brian Shirtcliffe said: ``Professional Mark Harvey has been superb and has been re-signed for another season and there has been a string of top performances from the other players. Openers Mark Harvey and Tripathi have been very reliable with over 800 runs each and Mark has taken 36 wickets. The veteran Stephen Gee has also had another superb season taking almost 50 wickets despite missing eight games.''