Bump, mostly agree - it's the first time I can think of an elite track/roadie is going for the big one, the 100. That said, some guys like Lundstrom, Canaday, and Wardian have put up solid 50-milers on trails - either winning or at least being competitive with more traditional mountain/ultra guys. Though Canaday pretty soundly beat Anton Krupicka's CR at White River recently.
Maybe the lesson there is that 50 is where each set of athletes' skills - 100 mile weirdos and anal-retentive leg-shavers - finds the right compromise and it's an even match. Either way, I'm interested to see how this one goes (Aish is...interesting, btw. Check out this interview:
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=21469
)
Also, MB regulars, I know, sorry, the "elite" guys I named can only run 2:16-2:17...not as fast as you. I know. Sorry.