Crossword Genius

Set off but got no place (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

also ran

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'set off' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'got no place' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'got' could be 'ran' (running is a kind of getting) and 'ran' is found in the answer.
'no' could be 'o' (O resembles 0) and 'o' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'als' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'but' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for also ran that I've seen before include "failure?" , "no real contender" , "one that didn't win" , "loser" , "last runner?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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