How's your running action?

I have long had an interest in the different running actions exhibited by the wide variety of the population who are endurance runners. The 'Lonmg Distance Log' at one time pointed out that if you saw a runner running along the horizon at dusk you would know who he was by his running action alone. Certainly members of teh same family show the same characteristics - Colin and Harry Martin in Dumbarton and Andy and Alex Brown come to mind. There was a guy who ran for a local club who would stand, slowly raise his arms until the upper arms formed a straight line across his shoulders and then move off paddling his lower arms like a duck! I used to pass the time on some of my runs by adopting the styles of some of my fellow runners - I hesitate to use the word athletes in this context. I remember talking to Jim Dingwall about it when we were jogging round Drumpellier Park and I demonstrated my Don McGregor (head resting on left shoulder), my Colin Martin (you know that one already) and so on and then Jim said "I do a brilliant Brendan Foster" and sped off over the hill looking just like Big Bren in full flight! He jogged back and asked how did I like that??? Bill Hislop called one of our top athletes ;the Wee Woodpecker' because of his action.
There was a great variety of actions on display at the weekend - the guy from the east who started by lining his chin up with his navel before heading off into the middle distance. It is surprising how many folk just dangle their arms by their sides like bits of string. 'Aye, and how about you?' I hear you ask? Well I used to start by getting the back of my head as near the middle of my shoulder blades as possible .....
I can't help thinking that cross country for many of us would be more successful if we got our action right. Imagine a composite of the above - head on left shoulder with the back of the skull reaching for the shoulder blades and the chin stretched out towards the navel and arms like bits of string?
How effective is your action?