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Steamboat Springs — The 2009 Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series opens today with a race unlike any other on the slate.

For the second consecutive year, the series will move to the singletrack at Marabou Ranch preservation subdivision.

Today's race begins at 5:30 p.m. for children. Pro and expert divisions begin at 6 p.m., and sport and novices start at 6:30 p.m.

Race day registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. Fireside Catering will have barbecue available for $10.

Today also is the last day to buy a season pass. The cost for adults is $100 and $50 for children.

"We've been riding out at Marabou for two weeks with it being open to the public," said Gretchen Sehler, the series director. "I rode up there (Tuesday), and the trails are in awesome shape."

The pro and expert divisions will race 12 miles, the sport course is eight miles, and the women's novice and children's course is six miles.

What makes the race so unique, Sehler said, is the terrain it covers.

Most of the Town Challenge races take place at Emerald Mountain or Steamboat Ski Area and require riders to spend a lot of time in the seat climbing, but Marabou offers something a little different.

There certainly are portions when riders will have to climb, but for the most part, Sehler said, the Marabou course is flat and full of rolling hills.

"It's great for everybody," Sehler said. "The pro guys won't be grunting so hard. They'll be riding harder and faster in a higher gear than on an Emerald course.

"It's so different than what we have in town. The climbing isn't that tough. It's just different."

Sehler recommended riders give themselves at least 30 minutes to get to Marabou. To get there, head west on U.S. Highway 40 and turn right on Routt County Road. Take that around the Marabou barn, and follow the signs to the parking area.

Although Sehler doesn't anticipate the race being delayed or canceled by rain, she said she would wait as long as possible to make a final decision.

"Just 'cause it's raining in town," she said, "doesn't mean it's raining out there."