A runner may be:

today, a runner can be known as a person who delivers drugs to one who is purchasing them, from the drug dealer. A middle man of sorts.

• In sport, a person engaged in running.

• In botany, a long stem sent out by a plant (like strawberry), in order to root new plantlets.

• In interior design, a long and narrow textile, run down the length of a table or hallway.
  (Non-textile runners are also used.)

• The USS Runner (SS-275)

• The USS Runner (SS-476)

See also: courier, escape