While the Choco Mountain Gauntlet concept is technically interesting, I'm not sure how well it might be received due to the track not really changing all that much. Having a few boulders and bananas around doesn't seem like a dramatic difference from a player's perspective.
A 70-minute FF run would definitely be too long to focus on, but I like the idea of letting it run unattended.
About the human vs TAS race... I have misgivings. I think races are difficult to plan because you need them to be close in order to be most interesting. If either party pulls far ahead, it's not very compelling. That's one reason there are so few of them at each event. You need people who are guaranteed to be similar in performance. With all the variables involved here, we can't make that guarantee.
In my opinion, any ACE will be cool, even if it doesn't top the previous year's in terms of complexity. I might be disappointed if there wasn't one.
As for playing back recordings of runs, I like those, but of course it's difficult to find the right balance of visually impressive execution and glitches that can't be reliably performed in real time, versus length. Commentary helps a lot.
First, to get a few out of the way that aren't on the console-verified list...
I sort of wanted to recommend Metroid 2, if it were console verifiable. At 25 minutes, it's a bit long for people who aren't familiar with it to watch Samus wander the corrupted caves of SR388.
It's a shame there isn't a verified run of Super Metroid, because the movement execution in that is always a joy to watch, for me. It's really the perfect choice.
I'd jump at any Castlevanias, were they on the list. Especially post-SotN ones.
Then, of those on the list...
Marble Madness is quick and cool. I like how the camera is usually far behind.
I expected RBI Baseball to be boring, but it's hilarious. I definitely vote for that one.
I like the NES Mega Man "game end glitch". No, I love it. It's almost too short, but that makes it a good transition between other games.
Mega Man 2 is pretty long, but with all the glitches and oddities, I could see including it.
Super Mario Bros. "warps" and Super Mario Bros 2 "warps" are solid choices.
Super Mario Bros 3 "game end glitch" is gold. Great choice. I do not recommend the "warps" one, because it's 50% autoscrollers that bore the hell out of me.
Tetris "fastest 999999" is enjoyable. It's not so long as to wear out its welcome.
Dr. Mario has an ... interesting ending. I could see including it.
A lot of the rest are well made, but simply not that compelling to watch in a marathon setting; I mean, I could see the room sitting there in silence as they play. What is fun about a TAS varies by person, though, so I don't know everything.