Outlaw in long distance run, I gather (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

friar tuck

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'outlaw in long distance' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'run i gather' is the wordplay.
'run i' becomes 'friar' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'gather' becomes 'tuck' (synonyms).
'friar'+'tuck'='FRIAR TUCK'

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(Other definitions for friar tuck that I've seen before include "Fruit rack for Robin Hood's fat cleric" , "One of the Merry Men" , "The fat cleric in Robin Hood's gang" , "Associate of Robin Hood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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