also-ran

US /ˈɔːl.soʊ.ræn/
UK /ˈɔːl.soʊ.ræn/
"also-ran" picture
1.

perdant, candidat sans chance

a participant in a race or contest who does not win or is not among the winners

:
Despite his efforts, he was just an also-ran in the marathon.
Malgré ses efforts, il n'était qu'un perdant au marathon.
The political candidate was an also-ran in the last election.
Le candidat politique était un perdant aux dernières élections.