For the sake of conversation, if 2 runners have the same top speed and can maintain that speed for the same distance, then the start *is* the race.

That is, all things NOT being equal, reactivity and acceleration may not be as important as many think... but with things being MORE equal than not, then they may be crucial.

But the question of how, or if it's possible, to train for them is a whole other matter, it seems.