Does a runner's pace upset opponents? (7)
I believe the answer is:
escapes
'does a runner's' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'pace upset opponents?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'pace' is 'cape' which is present in the answer.
'opponents?' could be 'es' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'es' is found in the answer.
A single letter 's' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for escapes that I've seen before include "Breaks free" , "Breaks loose" , "Gets away from captivity" , "Evades" , "Breaks out, gets away" .)