They make the least and the most effort on the track (8)
I believe the answer is:
athletes
'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'the least and the most effort on the track' is the wordplay.
'the least' can be anagrammed to 'ATHLETES'.
Though, I am not sure how the anagram is indicated.
'make' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for athletes that I've seen before include "They train to compete in sports" , "Sports contestants" , "Al, the set is up for the physically skilled" , "Steal the strangely fit people" , "Sporty types" .)