It's out of Gateshead the runner started (5)
I believe the answer is:
began
'started' is the definition.
('begin' can be a synonym of 'start')
'it's out of gateshead the runner' is the wordplay.
'it's out of' is an insertion indicator (some letters on the outside of others).
'gateshead' becomes 'g' (head letter of 'gates').
'the runner' becomes 'bean' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'g' going into 'bean' is 'BEGAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for began that I've seen is " Commenced, started".)