Exclude

Syntax

Exclude             number

Parameters

• number: The number of runners to exclude from the beginning of the currently selected group.

Description

Removes the top n runners from a selected group before processing subsequent listing commands, typically used to prevent overall award winners from also appearing in age-group awards.

Remarks

This command is primarily used in macro files (.RSM) that are called by a parameter listing file (like @AGERES.LST). It must be used in conjunction with a Select command to define the category (e.g., Select SEX = M) from which the top runners will be excluded. If you do not want to exclude anyone, you must use Exclude 0; omitting the command entirely will lead to incorrect results. See also Cancel Exclude.

How Exclude determines who to mark

Exclude N does not copy the list of winners printed by a previous listing (such as OVERALL.RSM). Instead, it independently re-selects records, computes event times, sorts them, and marks the first N of that listing's own sorted order. This means a mismatch between the Exclude listing and the Overall listing — different Select criteria, a different Event/Minus expression, a missing Dq Field, or a different Sort — will produce a different top N and exclude the wrong people.

Keeping Exclude consistent with Overall

When the goal is to remove overall award winners from age-group awards, the Exclude listing must match the Overall listing on every command that affects ranking:

1. Selects — same sex, race/distance, and age-range filters
2. Time expression — same Event and Minus (e.g., if Overall uses Event FINISH / Minus START, Exclude must too)
3. Dq Field — if Overall uses Dq Field FLAG to filter out DNF/DQ athletes, Exclude must include the same Dq Field line; otherwise a flagged athlete with a usable event time can consume an exclude slot that should go to an actual winner
4. Sort basis — do not mix gun time and chip time between Overall and Exclude

After any change, re-run the full awards macro and confirm that overall winners do not reappear in their age groups.

Examples

An EXCLUDE.RSM file used to exclude a variable number (%2) of runners from a selected sex (%1):

* This RSM file will exclude %2 top runners from event time.
* %1 Is the gender value in the DN.
* %2 Is the total number of runners to be excluded.
* All ranking commands (Select, Event, Minus, Dq Field, Sort)
* must match OVERALL.RSM so the same people are excluded.
Select              SEX
=                   %1
Exclude             %2
Event               TIME

A main listing file (@AGERES.LST) calling the exclude macro before processing age groups:

AGEHEAD
* Exclude the top 1 male
EXCLUDE             M 1
* Exclude the top 1 female
EXCLUDE             F 1
* Process Male 1-19, 3 awards
AGERES.RSM M 1 19 3
...

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause
Overall winner still appears in their age group	The Exclude listing ranks differently from Overall — most often a missing Dq Field while Overall has one
Exclude seems to skip a slot (only N−1 overall winners are excluded)	A DQ/DNF athlete with a usable event time ranked into Exclude's top N but was filtered out of Overall by Dq Field, consuming a slot meant for an actual winner
Age-group awards look wrong after changing Overall's Minus	The Exclude listing still uses the old Minus / start event — update it to match Overall