Too hurried, this unsuccessful contestant?

• Non-placed contestant

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 A person or animal who competed in a race but did not win. 2 Figuratively, a loser; one soon to be forgotten.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ Both projects, and more besides, aim to make Microsoft an also-ran in tomorrow's markets. ▪ Buchanan, who did best among the three also-rans, got only 14 percent. ▪ He warrants only passing references, as if he were some also-ran ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1896, originally in reference to horse-races, from also + past tense of run (v.). Probably from the way non-placing horses were listed in race results.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia