I'll weigh in on the item re the marathon, having run 21 of them. Don't even suggest going there! It is MUCH harder to run 50 km than a marathon (at least at anything approaching the same pace, and on the same amount of training). Just ask anyone who has run a marathon. For physiological reasons, the body tends to run out of stored carbohydrate fuel at about 30-35 km, and the race gets pretty tough after that. The idea of having to run another 15-20 km, rather than just 5 or so, is not very appealing. People can run 50 km, of course (I've done that too) but for the average long distance runner, it is a very different race, and involves periods of walking and an entirely different approach. To say nothing of a lot more work for the organizers. HARRY WYETH
