Possible Clues:

• One who didn't get in
• Runner-up
• Competitor who didn't win
• He didn't win all missing the last, so bolted
• Loser was a manager, too
• Poor performer in race
• Not the winner in final, so ranted
• #2 or #3, say
• Artist leaving hot African city, one undistinguished after event?
• The hare, e.g., in 'The Tortoise and the Hare'