Athlete ably running in set places (3,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
lay the table
'set places' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adjective which matches the answer.
'athlete ably running' is the wordplay.
'running' indicates anagramming the letters (the letters run around to different places).
'athlete'+'ably'='athleteably'
'athleteably' is an anagram of 'LAY THE TABLE'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lay the table that I've seen before include "Prepare setting for meal" , "Put out cutlery, etc." .)