PORT ANGELES — Prep cross country runners can all breathe a little bit easier as part of a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association update that will allow athletes to run without masks during competitions.

The rule covered under the Races, Non-Motorized and Motorized Guidelines issued last month by the governor’s office, also applies to “races, bicycle tours and rides, runs, cross country skiing races, biathlons, canoe and kayak races, marathons, cross country running competitions, triathlons and multi-sport competitions with more than 12 participants.”

Mask wearing had previously been required by the state Department of Health in order to limit the transmission of airborne respiratory particles during competition.

The state also previously made a mask exception for swim and dive participants during competition, and gymnasts may remove their masks and facial coverings only when they are competing or practicing on equipment.

Masks will still be required to be worn at meets before and after competition.

Port Angeles, Sequim and East Jefferson runners competed with masks during their season-opening races at Klahowya Secondary School near Silverdale last weekend.

“We understood the difficulty, and with the guidance in place at the time, we proved and demonstrated that we can do this safely for our student athletes and parents, and we did,” Port Angeles athletic director Dwayne Johnson said. “It’s been a commendable effort by our coaches and athletes.”

Roughriders cross country coach Rodger Johnson described the mask rule as “certainly uncomfortable.

“We were able to adapt to the mask rule while training and racing, but it was certainly uncomfortable,” Johnson said. “Pre-screening athletes, ‘wave starts’ at the races and following our state and local COVID protocols while practicing and traveling should allow us to proceed safely with this short cross country season.”

Wave starts are limited to 10 participants or fewer in Phase 1 and 30 participants or fewer in Phase 2 with staggered time intervals.

The cross country coach said he has noticed positive changes with his athletes already.

“Students who have been struggling through the pandemic are thriving with the return of structure and physical activity in their lives,” Johnson said.

Sequim senior cross country runner/soccer player Eli Gish weighed in on wearing masks during athletics as practices started in earnest last month.

“It’s been weird. We do that for soccer practices with my club team in Gig Harbor and off-season [cross country] practices here in Sequim,” Gish said. “It’s annoying, but it’s one of those things you have to do to be able to practice right now. If we can play games and wear masks, I’m OK with it.”

Spectator sports?

Masked cross country runners have been a hot topic on area social media forums lately, along with another hot-button issue: spectators at prep sporting events.

With the Northwest Region currently stuck in Phase 1 until at least Monday, depending on the results of health data set for release Friday, no spectators are allowed at any prep contest such as Saturday’s scheduled cross country races at the Port Townsend Golf Club (weather permitting).

Johnson, who also serves as Olympic League President, said the league voted to not allow spectators during Phase 1 in a vote taken in January but said the idea of a limited number of fans in the stands can be revisited if the region moves into Phase 2.

“The league officials and each school district made a vote on not allowing spectators during a meeting about three weeks ago,” Johnson said. “It was a unanimous vote; everybody was on board. To get started in Phase 1, girls swimming and boys and girls cross country, they are not allowed any spectators by rule. We wanted to have equity across the board with regard to not having spectators.”

WIAA rules allow for crowds of up to 200 people or 25 percent of a building’s capacity, whichever is lower. The maximum occupancy rules include athletes, coaches, administrators and other team staff, so the true number of spectators would be considerably lower in some sports.

Johnson said Port Angeles Superintendent Marty Brewer is leading an effort to allow a limited number of fans at contests once the region reaches Phase 2. And the district also plans to offer additional live streams of prep contests compared to past seasons.

“Our superintendent is working with all of the league superintendents so we all have the same voice,” Johnson said.

Media coverage of contests will be approved on a game-by-game basis and will count toward the 200-person/25-percent capacity cap.

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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.