I think it is. Typical sprint training consists of all-out efforts with full recoveries, so there's plenty of time to chat during those rest periods. Distance running, OTOH, isn't too sociable - a 20-minute 3 miler is one person's tempo run, another person's easy run, and another person's all-out effort. And even if everyone is at the same ability level, it's too tiring to talk much when you're doing something like a 10x400 at mile pace with 90" recovery. The main opportunities for conversation would be during warmups and cooldowns, but sprinters usually spend more time on them than distance runners.
Strangely enough, there are a lot more running groups than sprinting groups on the local tracks even though there's no shortage of all-comers meets in my area.