There was a dating website now-owned by Match Group that did a study years ago (pre-acquisition) that showed that college-educated women preferred guys with runners' physiques by a lot over guys with weight-lifters' physiques, and women without college degrees preferred muscular men by a lot over skinnier guys. In both cases, it wasn't even close. Unfortunately this study was taken down after they got acquired or I would link to it.

others (I.e running) are the equivalent of what food does to get away from predators

Running is how predators in nature catch most of their prey. Strength is not relevant until after they've caught their prey.