A computer is simply a tool that helps in the evaluation process.
Coaches already evaluate runners by how well they train and look in practice and races.
This type of evaluation comes from coaching experience and is something a computer can never do. This article briefly describes my computer ranking process for cross country and how it helps in rating running performances. Usually, coaches consider only their own runners and some competitors. The objective is to rank runners relative to each other. I want to rate each individual race for each individual runner relative to all other runners where possible.