
The Chtriman 226 is the full distance of the Chtriman at Gravelines: a swim in the PAarc rowing basin, two bike laps into the Flemish hill country as far as Cassel, and a marathon in four laps of the park. The race began in Cambrai in 2009 and has been at home on the Aa since 2012.
The 3.8 km swim starts at 7:00 in two laps of the basin at the PAarc des Rives de l'Aa, a water-sports centre opened in 2011 with a long, sheltered rowing basin. After the first transition come two 90 km bike laps: flat polder country at the start and end, with the hill country up to Cassel and the steep Porte d'Aire in between.
The second transition is back at the basin, and the marathon stays entirely inside the park. You pass transition and the crowds four times, which breaks the long run into manageable pieces. The finish and prize-giving are in the PAarc too.
With about 3,500 entrants across the weekend the Chtriman is a big event, though the full distance itself is a much smaller field. There are cut-offs in all three disciplines: 9:00 out of the water, two checks on the second bike lap, and 20:30 to start the last run lap.
+1,037 m
+76 m
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 19 | 1 km | 6.4 % | 11.8 % | +63 m | — |
| km 40.8 | 0.8 km | 5.6 % | 7.7 % | +43 m | — |
| km 44.2 | 1.6 km | 6.7 % | 16.1 % | +108 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 56 | 0.5 km | 3.6 % | 4 % | +17 m | — |
| km 110 | 1 km | 6.4 % | 11.9 % | +62 m | — |
| km 131.8 | 0.8 km | 5.5 % | 7.7 % | +43 m | — |
| km 135.2 | 1.6 km | 6.7 % | 16.1 % | +108 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 147 | 0.5 km | 3.5 % | 4 % | +17 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
The swim in the calm basin is predictable; swim it under control, because time is made later. On the bike the real challenge is patience: the first lap should feel too easy so you can still ride the second ascent to Cassel around kilometre 135 seated and smooth.
The race is decided at the hand-over from the second hilly section to the marathon. Reach the time checks at Zuytpeene and Millam with something in reserve and you have the basis for an even run. The flat marathon rewards consistency; the four laps help you hold the pace.
The biggest trap is the weather. Late June can be hot, and in 2026 part of the weekend was cancelled for heat. On a warm day lower your bike power so that you can run the marathon in the afternoon heat at all.

For most age-group athletes the Chtriman 226 takes between ten and fifteen hours. The effort is almost entirely aerobic, with short, hard spikes on the climbs of the bike lap.
Preparation rests on three pillars: long rides with rolling terrain in the second half, long runs at an easy pace, and brick sessions that join the two. One or two dress rehearsals of five to six hours on the bike followed by a run show whether your pacing and fuelling strategy holds.
In the water regular endurance sessions of 3,000 to 4,000 metres are enough; the basin is calm and easy to sight in, though open-water practice still helps with the mass start. For the Porte d'Aire you need climbing strength: short, steep intervals at low cadence.
Plan for heat. Late June in French Flanders can bring temperatures that stopped part of the weekend in 2026. Train in warm conditions, test your salt and fluid intake, and have a plan B for a hot race day.

Download each leg of Chtriman Gravelines as its own GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Chtriman Gravelines is 225.8 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
Chtriman Gravelines has around 1,113 m of elevation gain over 225.8 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
The bike course at Chtriman Gravelines is classified as Rolling, averaging 5.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 68% of the route is flat, 14% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
The hardest climb on the bike course at Chtriman Gravelines starts at kilometre 44.2, runs for 1.6 km at an average of 6.7% and gains 108 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Yes. Each leg of Chtriman Gravelines is on this page as its own free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
Preparation for Chtriman Gravelines should account for 225.8 km, 1,113 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
The pacing strategy for Chtriman Gravelines should reflect 225.8 km, 1,113 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
Chtriman Gravelines takes place on June 27, 2027.
Chtriman Gravelines takes place in Gravelines, France.
Chtriman Gravelines offers 6 distances — Chtriman 226: 225.8 km; Chtriman 113: 112.9 km; Duathlon 111: 110.5 km; Swimbike L: 91.9 km; Chtri S: 25.75 km; Chtri XS: 12.9 km.
Registration runs through the organiser: chtriman.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.