EW
Essie Washington

Essie Washington

USAUSAWomen
Birth dateJan 12, 1957
Height-
Weight-

Essie Kelley-Washington (born January 12, 1957) is an American former middle-distance runner who specialized in the 800-meter run. She was the gold medallist in that event at the 1979 Pan American Games.

She also represented America at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics and 1987 Pan American Games, reaching both finals. At national level at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships she was a regular finalist during her career and won the 800 m twice: in 1979 then again in 1987.

She was runner-up in 1978 and made her last final in 1990, taking seventh place. After retiring from running Kelley went into coaching. She had gained a degree in physical education from Prairie View A&M University in 1980, where she also participated in AIAW competition. She served as head coach for the 1999 Pan American Games delegation and was assistant coach on the 1997 Summer Universiade team.

Key facts
800 m
1:59.07
#351 all-time
1000 Metres
2:37.90
1990 season best
2:02.26
Jul 16, 1990 · Barcelona (ESP)
Age
69 years old

As of Oct 1, 2026: 800 m 1:59.07 (#351 all-time), 1000 Metres 2:37.90, 1990 season best 2:02.26 (Jul 16, 1990, Barcelona (ESP)) · 69 years old

PB

Personal bests

52.45
1:59.07
#351 all-time
800m-short-tracki
2:03.15
800m-short-track
2:03.15
1000m
2:37.90
4x800Metre
8:28.48

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1990
800m
2:02.26-Jul 16, 1990
↓
Barcelona (ESP)
1989
800m
2:01.58-Apr 22, 1989
↓
Walnut, CA (USA)
1989
800m-short-track
2:03.15-Feb 5, 1989
→
-
1989
800m-short-tracki
2:03.15-Feb 5, 1989
→
Fairfax, VA (USA) (i)
1988
400m
52.94-May 4, 1988
↓
Houston, TX (USA)
1988
800m
1:59.70-Jun 25, 1988
↓
San Diego, CA (USA)
1988
1000m
2:37.90-Aug 14, 1988-Hengelo (NED)
1987
400m
52.45-Apr 11, 1987
↓
Houston, TX (USA)
1987
800m
1:59.07-Jun 27, 1987
↓
San José (USA)
1984
4x800Metre
8:28.48-Apr 29, 1984-Walnut, CA (USA)

1990

3 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
800m
2:02.26-Jul 16Barcelona
800m
2:04.96-Jul 4Berlin
800m
2:02.53-Jun 15Norwalk TAC Championships, Norwalk, CA

1989

14 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
800m
2:08.87-Jul 3Stockholm DN Galan, Stockholm
800m
2:02.19-Jul 1Oslo Bislett Games, Oslo
800m
2:02.06-Jun 27Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne
800m
2:04.11-Jun 25Villeneuve d'Ascq BNP, Villeneuve d'Ascq
800m
2:03.10-Jun 10Westwood, CA
800m
2:01.62-May 27San José
800m
2:03.26-May 21Sao Paulo, São Paulo
800m
2:01.58-Apr 22Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA
800m-short-tracki
2:03.34-Feb 24USA Indoor Championships
800m-short-track
2:04.20-Feb 10East Rutherford Vitalis Olympic Invitational, East Rutherford, NJ (i)
800m-short-track
2:03.15-Feb 5Fairfax, VA (i)
800m-short-track
2:06.26-Feb 3Millrose Games, New York, NY (i)
800m-short-track
2:04.91-Jan 28Houston, TX (i)
800m-short-track
2:04.58-Jan 14Dallas, TX (i)

1988

6 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
800m
2:01.05-Aug 17Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich
1000m
2:37.90-Aug 14Adriaan Paulen Memorial, Hengelo
800m
2:00.96-Aug 8Malmö
800m
1:59.70-Jun 25San Diego, CA
800m
2:01.79-May 21Houston, TX
400m
52.94-May 4Houston, TX

1987

13 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
800m
2:02.65-Aug 30IAAF World Championships
800m
2:02.65-Aug 29IAAF World Championships
800m
2:02.61-Aug 29IAAF World Championships
800m
2:04.86-Aug 16Indianapolis Pan American Games, Indianapolis, IN
800m
1:59.45-Jul 22Roma Golden Gala, Roma
800m
1:59.12-Jul 19Adriaan Paulen Memorial, Hengelo
800m
1:59.07-Jun 27San José TAC Championships, San José
800m
1:59.83-May 30San José
400m
52.8HT-May 16Westwood, CA
800m
1:59.93-May 3Houston, TX
800m
2:01.77-Apr 26Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA
400m
52.45-Apr 11Houston, TX
800m
2:01.15-Mar 21Houston, TX

1984

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
4x800Metre
8:28.48-Apr 29Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA

Honours

4

Indianapolis Pan American Games

800 Metres

1987
4

Indianapolis Pan American Games

800 Metres

1987
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Essie Washington's 800 m personal best?

Essie Washington's 800 m personal best is 1:59.07, set on Jun 27, 1987 in San José (USA), #351 on the all-time list.

Which events does Essie Washington compete in?

Essie Washington competes in the 800 m and 1000 Metres.

How did Essie Washington perform in 1990?

1990 season best: 2:02.26, set on Jul 16, 1990 in Barcelona (ESP).