Crossword Genius

Sprinted, heading off being tracked down (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

raced

'sprinted' is the definition.

'heading off being tracked down' is the wordplay.
'heading off' means to remove the first letter.
'being tracked down' becomes 'traced' (I've seen this before).
'traced' with its first letter removed is 'RACED'.

(Other definitions for raced that I've seen before include "Travelled at speed" , "Rushed" , "Went fast" , "Dashed" , "Cedar (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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