Create the "Chaco Valley Log Race", stick $5k up as a prize and you'll have strongmen and crossfit athletes carrying the log single-handed for the required distance.
See: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/this-man-did-a-triathlon-carr...
Not sure how that's a better theory. Why wouldn't a stronger carrier also benefit from a tumpline method? You're thinking maybe they were so strong they just carried it in their hands, or over their shoulders?
Maybe there was a "fastest team gets double rations" (like possibly for the pyramids) or "last one to arrive gets killed" (like Vercingetorix).
However, if it's "Just get this log from there to there and it's not time critical" maybe it doesn't matter.
//edit//However getting physically fit/strong people to do it in a race condition with a prize might throw up some brand new ideas.
https://www.tiktok.com/@annabg9898/video/7157326693462543642