Tony Richardson is spending less time selling hamburgers this summer so he can make a comeback in triathlons.

For about 10 years, Richardson consistently finished in the money on the professional circuit.

His name wasn’t mentioned in the same breath as the legends of his sport - the Mark Allens, Dave Scotts, Scott Tinleys. But he made the covers of Triathlete and Runner’s World magazines and was a familiar name among the second tier of promising pros some two-dozen athletes who battled each week for runner-up prize money and a rare victory.

Back when the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon catered to the pros, Richardson was a hot commodity. He won in 1989, placed second the year before and was fourth in ‘90.

But in 1991, Richardson pulled away from competition and jumped headlong into his family’s business. He would soon learn to appreciate the mental tenacity acquired from competing in triathlons.

With the family business of 37 years - the Boll Weevil restaurant chain in the San Diego area - on the brink of going belly up, Richardson pulled off perhaps his greatest feat in life. Through reorganization he brought the business out of bankruptcy.

It’s solvent today, allowing Richardson, the chief financial officer, to spend less time behind a desk and more time swimming, biking and running.

You could call this Richardson’s farewell tour. His visit to Coeur d’Alene this weekend for the 14th annual Scenic Challenge is his fifth, and it serves as a training stop toward his final pursuit, winning an age-group title at the Ironman, the Super Bowl of triathlons, in October.

“It’s sort of a last hurrah you could say,” explained Richardson, who lives just north of San Diego in Carlsbad. “We just had our third child (four months ago) and next summer I’ll start coaching my kids’ athletic teams.”

His platter will be full as a full-time father, husband, businessman. There will be no place for full-time training for triathlons.

At 37, Richardson’s best triathlon years are behind him. He counts 19 victories among several career highlights. He’ll be competing in his ninth Ironman in Hawaii, where he once finished 14th.

He still holds a swimming record at CdA. The first leg of the three triathlon disciplines is his best. Biking is next. He’s not even considered the best runner in his family. His wife, Renee, is the top runner.

So it’s imperative that Richardson take the lead out of the water and build on it while biking.

While the 1.5-kilometer swim at CdA is relatively short, the 40K bike route should be beneficial before the event concludes with a 10K run to Tubbs Hill and back to North Idaho College.

Tri notes

Race director Lee Brack invited Richardson to return so he could challenge amateur Matt Seeley of Missoula, the top amateur in the Pacific Northwest, who’ll be seeking a third straight victory.

Ann Seifert of Helena, Mont., will be back to defend her title.

In an effort to add more interest and finish-line intrigue to the race, Brack has developed a handicap start for the men’s elite open division.

Brack will send the top males into the water beginning at 6:59 a.m., with Richardson and Seeley set to take the plunge at 7:13.

“That should make for a real tight finish,” Brack said.

The women will begin at 7:15. The elite wave is expected to finish about 2 hours later.

, DataTimes