Crossword Genius

Oxygen exercises used on speed run (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operate

'run' is the definition.
('operate' can be a synonym of 'run')

'oxygen exercises used on speed' is the wordplay.
'oxygen' becomes 'o' (atomic symbol for oxygen).
'exercises' becomes 'pe'.
'used on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'speed' becomes 'rate' (rate is a kind of speed**).
'o'+'pe'+'rate'='OPERATE'

(Other definitions for operate that I've seen before include "Make function" , "Carry out surgery" , "Act, like a surgeon" , "Control, run, a mcahine say" , "Function; run" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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