Modern triathlon has become brutally honest and nowhere is that more evident than on the run.
For Fred Funk, that honesty has helped shape a clear strategic decision – one grounded not in limitation, but in opportunity. There’s no doubt Funk can compete at the sharp end of middle-distance racing – eight wins since 2021 show that – but it’s whether that environment truly plays to his greatest strengths.
We sat down with his coach Dan Lorang recently and when we asked about where the focus was this season after his first forays into full-distance in 2025 (top fives at Challenge Roth and IRONMAN Switzerland), the answer was typically illuminating.
When the numbers don’t lie
Funk has steadily built a reputation as one of the strongest cyclists in the field, backed by a solid swim that consistently keeps him in the mix. But as racing on the T100 Triathlon World Tour has accelerated, Lorang is candid about the challenge.
“When you look at T100 now, how fast the guys are running, to be honest it’s a different level,” he says.
That assessment isn’t dismissive – it’s precise. Funk was an impressive 1:01:54 for the 18km run on his last T100 outing in Spain, but that was nearly seven minutes behind Hayden Wilde. He’s raced eight T100 races so far and has two top fives to his name but only once – when ninth – has he made the top 10 in terms of run times.
“With a really strong bike and a good swim, he can be somewhere in the mix,” Lorang explains. “But if you really want to fight for the top five, you need a really strong run.”
Famous footsteps to follow in
Rather than forcing an answer, Funk and his team have chosen a different direction – one that history suggests can be highly effective.
He will race IRONMAN New Zealand this weekend, his first Pro Series race and it gives him a great early-season opportunity to make his mark at full distance.
“I want to mention someone like Patrick Lange,” Lorang says. “I don’t say Fred is like Patrick – they are completely different.”
But the parallel is instructive – and remember that it’s coming from someone who has coached multiple IRONMAN World Champions.
“Patrick Lange never really had the breakthrough at middle distance,” Lorang explains. “But on long distance, he showed world-class performance – one of the best ever.”
The lesson isn’t that middle distance failed Funk’s fellow German Lange. It’s that long distance revealed what he could truly be as he became a three-time IRONMAN World Champion and continues to operate at the absolute top level of the sport as he approaches his 40th birthday.
Choosing the right battlefield
For Funk, the move towards long distance is not a reaction to any disappointment, but a considered evolution.
“I think Fred has more potential on long distance compared to middle distance,” Lorang simply states.
“Now the direction is clear,” he adds. “We want to develop on long distance and see how far he can get.”
Long distance rewards sustained power, tactical restraint and resilience – qualities that already define Funk’s racing profile.
There is something refreshing about the frankness of Lorang’s assessment. In an era where athletes are often encouraged to believe they can excel everywhere, he sees value in choosing battles carefully.
“This doesn’t mean he can’t race middle distance,” Lorang says. “But when you look at where he can really maximise his performance, long distance makes a lot of sense.”
And remember that IRONMAN New Zealand will be the first time we see the 20-metre draft zone in operation, meaning that the strongest bikers should get more reward for their prowess in that field.
Sometimes the smartest progression in elite sport is not pushing harder against the trend, but stepping into the environment where your attributes matter most and for Fred Funk that environment looks to be coming into sharp focus.
Dan Lorang’s interview with TRI247:
- Fred Funk set to shine at full-distance
- Kyle Smith and getting back on track
- Maya Kingma, Laura Lindemann, Justus Nieschlag, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Taylor Knibb to follow
- And Dan himself!
