Approach race ahead (3-2)
I believe the answer is:
run-up
'approach' is the definition.
(both can mean the period leading up to something)
'race ahead' is the wordplay.
'race' becomes 'run' (run is a kind of race).
'ahead' becomes 'up' (similar in meaning).
'run'+'up'='RUN-UP'
(Other definitions for run-up that I've seen before include "Preliminary period" , "Approach - preliminaries" , "Bowler's approach?" , "Cricketing approach?" .)