Sounding like Paavo Nurmi at the end of a race (6)
I believe the answer is:
finish
'end of a race' is the definition.
'finish' can be an answer for 'end' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'of a race' bit.
'sounding like paavo nurmi at' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'ish' (similar in meaning) and 'ish' is located in the answer.
'at' could be 'in' (synonymous in some cases - eg at school, in school) and 'in' is located in the answer.
A single letter 'f' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for finish that I've seen before include "Polish, perhaps" , "Conclude, end" , "Terminate, conclude" , "Pefect" , "Culminate" .)