Handy thing to take up or run (8)
I believe the answer is:
gauntlet
'handy thing to take up' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gauntlet that I've seen before include "outdated military punishment" , "Glove of armoured leather, thrown down as a challenge" , "Handy thing to take up" , "It may be thrown down or run" , "Iron glove" .)