Pay for people to see running competition (8)

I believe the answer is:

footrace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'running competition' is the definition.
'footrace' can be an answer for 'competition' (footrace is a kind of competition). I am unsure of the 'running' bit.

'pay for people' is the wordplay.
'pay for' becomes 'foot' (as in to foot the bill).
'people' becomes 'race' (people can mean a national group or race).
'foot'+'race'='FOOTRACE'

'to see' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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