Change early for the race (5)
I believe the answer is:
relay
'race' is the definition.
(relay race)
'change early' is the wordplay.
'change' indicates anagramming the letters.
'early' is an anagram of 'RELAY'.
'for the' is the link.
(Other definitions for relay that I've seen before include "Pass on - put down again" , "Hand, pass on" , "Receive and pass on - race" , "track event" , "Broadcast" .)