He is a former world record holder at the 10,000 m (27:08.23, set on August 18, 1989, at the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) in Berlin, Germany).

[3] In 1992 he participated in the World Cup in Athletics, running the 5000 m with a time of 13:50.95, finishing in second place.

Between 1987 and 1990, Barrios won the San Francisco Bay to Breakers race, considered the largest footrace in the world, four consecutive times.

Barrios graduated from Texas A&M University in 1985 where he competed in track and cross country for the Aggies.

The annual Arturo Barrios Invitational 5K and 10K road races in Chula Vista, California, launched in 1989,[5] were held for the last time in 2006.