The term ONE IN THE RUNNING is a phrase that is used to describe someone who is a contender for a position or award. The two crossword solutions for this term are NOMINEE and ENTRANT. A NOMINEE is someone who has been officially proposed for a position or award, while an ENTRANT is someone who has entered a competition or contest. Both terms refer to someone who is in the running for something, and thus fit the definition of ONE IN THE RUNNING.