Run after sweetheart? (5)

I believe the answer is:

elope

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'run after sweetheart?' is the definition.
'elope' can be an answer for 'run' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'after sweetheart?' bit.

'run after sweetheart?' is the wordplay.
'run' becomes 'lope' (lope is a kind of run).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'sweetheart?' becomes 'e' (the heart/centre of 'sweet').
'lope' after 'e' is 'ELOPE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elope that I've seen before include "Run away in secret" , "Run off with Mr/Ms Right" , "Abscond for amorous purposes" , "Run away to Gretna Green?" , "Run away with one's beloved" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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