Short hop for runner? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ski
'runner?' is the definition.
(something which 'runs', ie moves quickly on snow)
'short hop' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'hop' becomes 'skip' (synonyms).
'skip' with its final letter taken off is 'SKI'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ski that I've seen before include "Move over snow on runners" , "the end for many Russians" , "Winter sports equipment" , "Slide downhill, sportingly" , "Engage in a winter sport" .)