In 1999, Jim Barrow of Lake Charles LA broke the record for the most masterpoints earned in a year, officially referred to as the Barry Crane Top 500. Barrow, who was a member of a winning knockout team that year at the Boston NABC, earned enough masterpoints to surpass the 15-year-old record of 3270 points established by Grant Baze. Barrow’s total – and current record – now stands at 3584.26 masterpoints.
Barrow planned to perform this feat for many years. “I first tried for this in 1980, but at the time I wasn’t experienced enough and, more importantly, I forgot to ask Barry Crane’s permission.”
Barrow wanted to wait for a year in which he had the time and money to pursue the race full-time. He kept a journal of the experience and his friend, Kay Blake, helped him put together a book based on his notes. Record Run was published in 2000.
