If you "request" a runway you should do it early in the piece. The response should be to either expect the requested runway or that it is unavailable unless operationally required. Another response might be that it will be available but with a delay. Other aircraft should not be penalised because an aircraft wants the convenience of a different runway.
Arriving at night after a long duty and facing a runway that is adequate but has no great margin would probably justify the pilot "requiring" the longer or more user friendly runway.