Runs in preliminary round, showing courage (5)
I believe the answer is:
heart
'courage' is the definition.
(I know that heart is a type of courage)
'runs in preliminary round' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'preliminary round' becomes 'heat' (I've seen this in another clue).
'r' put inside 'heat' is 'HEART'.
'showing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for heart that I've seen before include "Middle" , "Kernel" , "Playing card - pity" , "bottle" , "Earth (anag) -- compassion" .)