Crossword Genius

African runner runs, say, with hip twisted round (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

niger

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'round' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'african runner runs say with hip twisted' is the wordplay.
'african runner runs' becomes 'r' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'say' becomes 'eg' (both can mean for example).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hip' becomes 'in' (both can mean fashionable).
'twisted' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'r'+'eg'+'in'='regin'
'regin' reversed gives 'NIGER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for niger that I've seen before include "22 across (anag) -- northwest African river" , "Country in interior of N Africa, capital Niarney" , "one flowing through Mali" , "Land-locked country and river of W Africa" , "African country dominated by the Sahara, until 1969 a French colony" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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