steepler... you haven't answered some of my point, but it doesn't matter, I guess you can't.
I feel offended though, by what you are implying.
I do train hard, and consider every part of my training...ie the nutrition, rest, massage etc etc, but I am a 3.40 marathoner. Don't get me wrong, I am pleased with that am continuing to get PB's (a 10k and a 20 miler already this year).
It's a simple fact that some people are more able to run fast than others, this is due to all kinds of factors such as physique, gender, age, health, talent etc. Are you saying that someone who puts as much effort as they can into their race, say for instance a half marathon, and achieves 2 hours 30, as another person who puts the same amount of effort in and achieves 1 hour 15, is not classed as a proper runner and shouldn't be in the race?