For the runners here - do you think people can train to become good runners or is it a pretty much a genetic lottery ? From my experience it's a lot like horse racing - breeding is fundamental. OF the runners I know [so a limited group] pretty much all of them have some pedigree in athletics or a sport where speed and / or endurance is fundamental like tennis, football, and so on. Either Mum, Dad, or a grandparent had the gift so to speak.