oft repeated, usually by runners, but it seems pretty dang inefficient. You're burning zillions of calories to get your food; how is that a good deal as compared to setting a trap or tossing a spear?

It's pretty tough to set an effective trap for catching herd animals on the African plains. Persistence hunts did frequently end by throwing spears. But spears are very short ranged. Hunters had to chase the animals and get really close in order to ensure a kill. And it doesn't take zillions of calories, just a few thousand.