But he has his heart set on competing - and beating - 50 others in his group of 40- to 44-year-olds who will do a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.
The best of the age groups in the standard distance get a place on the New Zealand age group team to the World Championships in Chicago in September.
"I came 12th in my age group when I tried last year and so my goal is to get in the top 10 this time."
Richardson played 38 tests for New Zealand from 2000 to his retirement in December 2004.
A crowd favourite opening batsman, he earned the nickname "Rigor" for his slow running style.
However, Richardson took up running after work to keep fit, did trail runs and marathons, and says he was on track for a sub-3 hour ASB Auckland Marathon in 2013 until a cramp attack interfered.
Triathlon New Zealand asked him to be an ambassador and he accepted, which has meant starting a new sport as a "total novice".
"Fortunately, I've had wonderful swim coaching from Andrew Mackay, of Boost, while Rob Dallimore, of Foot Traffic, is my main coach and writes training programmes for me."
Richardson's Sunday will be filled with sport: He competes in the age group races from 7.30am and plans to go to watch the Warriors play the Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium at 2pm, and head back into the city to Queens Wharf to watch the Elite Men world championship starting from 4.40pm.
"And then I'll watch the cricket and have a big Sunday."
Roads in waterfront area closed to traffic
A large part of the CBD will close to motorists and bus passengers must seek temporary stops tomorrow when the waterfront hosts the Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Triathlon Auckland.
Some of the world's best athletes are among the 1500 competitors in different triathlon events, which are expected to draw 20,000 spectators to vantage points.
Queens Wharf is the base for the event, which means closed roads tomorrow. The cycling stage takes the competitors up Queen St and back down Albert St passing a grandstand at the wharf on each lap.
The running part of the event takes in Queen and Quay Sts to pass the grandstand each lap.
In between tomorrow's six events, starting from 7.30am, is the Find Your Field of Dreams 5km fun run/jog at 10.30am along the flat of the waterfront.
The last event tomorrow is the Elite Men's second round of the World Triathlon Series, which starts at 4.40pm.
Today, Queens Wharf has a Sport and Lifestyle Event Expo in The Cloud from 9am, and also the Westpac Helicopter Open Day, family activities and the swim/run event at 4pm.
A spokesman for Auckland Transport said the agency is appealing to motorists and residents for their patience and co-operation during the events.
Tomorrow, significant parts of the Wynyard Quarter, the CBD and Tamaki Drive will be completely or partially closed to traffic.
Road closures and parking restrictions will begin in different parts of the running and cycling courses from late Saturday night and will rollout at different times throughout the day.
Most affected areas will be the Queen St Valley, the Wynyard Quarter and Quay St to Mission Bay.
Motorists are advised to avoid these areas if at all possible or to time journeys to before or after road closures.
People needing to leave areas affected by closures are advised to park their vehicles outside the cordon before their road closes.
For more detailed information click here, or here.
