Frederic Funk‘s triathlon journey will come full circle when he makes his full-distance debut at the iconic Challenge Roth later this year.

The German, who was runner-up in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in 2023, took part in his very first triathlon 22 years ago at the Junior Challenge at Challenge Roth – when he finished third at the age of five!

Since then he’s gone on to be one of the world’s best at middle distance, with nine wins to his name so far.

Ready for the Roth experience

Coached by the brilliant Dan Lorang, who has overseen the careers of the likes of Jan Frodeno and Anne Haug, he’s been in the top 15 of the PTO world rankings for each of the last three seasons.

He’s one of the T100’s contracted athletes for 2025 having finished 10th in the 2024 standings but will fit Roth into his schedule on July 6 as he makes his debut over the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run distance.

And he’s looking forward to race day, saying: ‘Of course I have very special memories of Roth and only have positive associations with the race.

“I took my first triathlon steps in Roth in 2003, in my parents’ “slipstream” so to speak, and it’s incredible to be returning to the long distance as a professional.

“I’ve been there almost every year so far and I’m looking forward to hopefully being able to experience the atmosphere in the ‘Home of Triathlon’ myself as a professional athlete.

There was no question in my mind that my first long-distance triathlon would take place in Roth.

“I’m ready for the Roth experience.”

Hanson and Koolhaas added to list

The Roth men’s field is starting to take shape now, with last year’s runner-up Tom Bishop already having been announced as making a return.

Making his debut at the age of 40 will be American star Matt Hanson, while Dutch athlete Menno Koolhaas, fifth at the IRONMAN World Championship last year, and Germany’s Jan Stratmann have also been confirmed.

But almost certainly missing will be 2021 winner Patrick Lange who recently announced his race schedule which included IRONMAN Frankfurt just a week before Roth.