ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : a contestant who runs best when in the lead ; also : one who can set his own fast pace
2. : the leading contestant or one of the leading contestants in any rivalry or competition
the front-runner … on two ballots — T.L.Stokes
one of the front-runners in the postwar frozen-orange-juice derby — E.J.Kahn