Run, we're told, to beat the storm (9)
I believe the answer is:
hurricane
'storm' is the definition.
(I know that hurricane is a type of cyclone)
'run we're told to beat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'run' could be 'r' (cricket abbreviation) and 'r' is found in the answer.
'beat' could be 'cane' (caning is a kind of beating) and 'cane' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hurricane that I've seen before include "Caribbean cyclone" , "Severe storm" , "Tropical cyclone - WWII fighter" , "Plane once" , "Strong wind" .)