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Ran away with a sweetheart and used long strides! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eloped

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'ran away' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'sweetheart and used long strides' is the wordplay.
'sweetheart' becomes 'e' (the heart/centre of 'sweet').
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'used long strides' becomes 'loped' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'e'+'loped'='ELOPED'

'with a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eloped that I've seen before include "Ran away to marry" , "Went off" , "Ran away to get married" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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