Crossword Genius

Strip and leg it, avoiding area (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

runway

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'strip' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'leg it avoiding area' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'leg' could be 'run' and 'run' is located in the answer.
'area' could be 'a' (maths abbreviation) and 'a' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for runway that I've seen before include "Strip at the airport" , "Essential airport feature" , "Where one takes off" , "Take-off and landing strip" , "takeoff point" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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