The phrase "are in the running" implies that someone or something is actively participating or competing in a contest, election, or race. Some antonyms for this phrase could include "eliminated," "disqualified," or "out of contention." These words suggest that the person or object in question is no longer a viable option or has been ruled out of consideration for the competition. Other possible antonyms could include "inactive," "uninvolved," or "not in the mix," which would indicate that the subject is not participating in the competition at all. These antonyms can be useful in a variety of contexts, from sports and politics to job interviews and college admissions.