While the boy's race was decided in the final mile, Isabel Allori made sure the girl's race was more than over by then.
The Liberty Common senior not only claimed the 3A state title, she torched a 3A state meet record of 17:10 - that's the third-fastest time run on the course ever.
The win capped Allori's perfect season which saw her win every race she toed the line on - which was a staggering seven consecutive races.
While Allori got to enjoy Penrose all to herself, the early mile set the stage between the two big favorites - defending state champ Katelyn Maley, and the undefeated Allori.
In the opening strides Allori and Basalt's Maley went head-to-head, making this a two-runner race.
But Allori had solo-ambitions.
The Liberty Common junior poured on the pace in the middle mile, shedding Maley. Allori went on to race the clock, which told us a lot Saturday...
Following Allori's record-breaking victory was Maley, who finished second in 18:15 - a time that would've won last year's state meet by 21-seconds.
To further put on display how fast the field was this year, Stargate's Allison Pippert finished third in 18:16, and Salida's Quinn Smith finished fourth in 18:36 - all under last year's winning time.
Heading into the state meet two teams stood above the rest as favorites - defending state champions The Classical Academy, and Alamosa.
Alamosa answered the question early, however, of who'd take the state title.
Sarah DeLaCerda and Madeline Castillo finished fifth and seventh to give Alamosa two in the top-10, and Elizabeth McQuitty gave them three in before anyone's two by finished 13th.
Alamosa maintained their one-runner-ahead with Lia Castillo finished 21st, and Autumn McQuitty closing the door by finishing 24th.
Alamosa tallied 57 points to claim the 3A state title, while TCA took the runner-up spot with 88.
Beyond these two squads it got tight.
Holy Family took third with 186 points, which was just ahead of Liberty Commons' 197, Kent Denver's 204, and Gunnison's 211.