Possible Clues:

• Fugitive leader gets news for a pound
• A carpet suitable for a corridor
• Usain Bolt or Sonia O'Sullivan, say
• Tap water, quite possibly, for athlete
• Athlete in second place not at university
• Athlete's manager, perhaps
• Dasher, and part of his sleigh
• One on errand for a strip of cloth
• Smuggler gets table decoration
• "Homestar ___" (popular Internet toon)