Athlete might be in this angry state (5-7)

I believe the answer is:

cross-country

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'athlete might be in' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'angry state' is the wordplay.
'angry' becomes 'cross' (cross can mean annoyed or angry).
'state' becomes 'country' (synonyms).
'cross'+'country'='CROSS-COUNTRY'

'this' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cross-country that I've seen before include "Rural running event" , "Running sport" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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