Crossword Genius

West County runner with attractive top (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

execute

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'top' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how one could define the other.

'west county runner with attractive' is the wordplay.
'west county runner' becomes 'exe' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'attractive' becomes 'cute' (similar in meaning).
'exe'+'cute'='EXECUTE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for execute that I've seen before include "Finish off" , "run a program" , "Carry out; behead" , "Complete - implement" , "Inflict capital punishment upon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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