Ran easily (5)
I believe the answer is:
loped
'ran easily' is the definition.
('lope' can be a synonym of 'run easily')
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for loped that I've seen before include "Walked with long strides" , "Ran easily" , "Walked with a long bounding stride" , "Ran with long strides" , "Made strides" .)