The Nature Of Traits

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Is a trait just a genetic advantage ?

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Strictly speaking, yes. Most define them as heritable traits, if that is what you are speaking of.Also, traits can give you the propensity for that phenotype. That is, if two people are given the same amount of training one will do better because of a certain physical trait that is heritable. This trait can be masked by other factors, such as a diet of fish and chips washed down with heavy ale and a lack of exercise. Using other examples, a white european who trained every day could outrun a Kenyan who had never trained.

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Will the guy with the trait always do better, or can willpower outdo traitpower?

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I think willpower has to do more with "training" than the trait itself. That is, if given even willpower the one with the better trait in a certain area will do better. Also, there are more factors that go into making a good long distance runner besides superior metabolism and physical makeup. There is also technique, strategy, fortitude, etc. So I guess in a way, yes, willpower (loosely defined) can allow someone to outperform someone with superior physical traits. Maybe this is why humans enjoy rooting for the underdog, in that it gives us a reason to think that we can also perform spectacular physical feats and overcome our physical frailties through our will to win. Traits give us the tools, and the better we put those tools to use the better we will do. And the better tools that we are given . . . I think you get the idea.