Hunt down and pick up athletic competition (5,3,5)

I believe the answer is:

track and field

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

'athletic competition' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'hunt down and pick up' is the wordplay.
'hunt down' becomes 'track' (I've seen this in another clue. I am not sure about the 'down' bit.).
'pick up' becomes 'field' (field can mean to pick up a ball).
'track'+'and'+'field'='TRACK AND FIELD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for track and field that I've seen is " Description of events".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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