running start

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

run′ning start′, 

1. Sport a start, as in the hop, step, and jump or the running broad jump, in which a contestant begins moving before reaching the starting or take-off point.
2. an initial advantage in undertaking something;
   a head start:
   His background gave him a running start in business.
• 1925–30