Yep. This whole argument hinges on the fact that the word “runner” in this context happens to be used almost exclusively to refer to humans. Rephrase it even sl

Yep. This whole argument hinges on the fact that the word “runner” in this context happens to be used almost exclusively to refer to humans. Rephrase it even slightly and it falls apart. We do say “cars can move faster than humans.” Likewise we do say “machines can lift weights better than a human,” but we don’t say “machines are better weightlifters” because that particular word “weightlifter” is coincidentally only used to refer to humans.