Crossword Genius

Ultimate challenge the day before a holiday (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

everest

'ultimate challenge' is the definition.
(tallest mountain in the world)

'day before a holiday' is the wordplay.
'day before' becomes 'eve' (the eve of something is the night before).
'a holiday' becomes 'rest' (rest can mean a holiday or break).
'eve'+'rest'='EVEREST'

'the' is the link.

(Other definitions for everest that I've seen before include "The highest mountain of all (7)" , "A high spot" , "The world's highest mountain" , "Mount, climbed 1953" , "Great achievement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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