Marathon director hopes new book helps kids keep dreaming

Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray has an additional job title: children’s book author.

McGillivray’s new book, “Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination,” is being launched Wednesday in Boston.

McGillivray says it’s a nonfiction picture book for young readers aged 6 to 10, based on an autobiography he wrote in 2006. He says his message to youngsters is how to cope with doubt, disappointment and loss.

McGillivray writes about dreaming of becoming a professional athlete but struggling because he was a short kid. He eventually turned to running, achieved success as a competitive marathoner and has been in charge of the Boston Marathon since 1998.

McGillivray says the book will be distributed free to children in a dozen schools around Massachusetts.