Crossword Genius

March from base, mostly slow going at first (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

footslog

'march' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'base mostly slow going at first' is the wordplay.
'base' becomes 'foot' ('foot' can be a synonym of 'base'**).
'mostly' means to remove the last letter.
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'going' is 'g'.
'slow' with its last letter taken off is 'slo'.
'foot'+'slo'+'g'='FOOTSLOG'

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for footslog that I've seen before include "Long exhausting walk" , "what soldier does" , "exhausting hike" , "arduous journey" , "Tramp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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