Ed Douglas couldn’t be prouder. More than 2,000 copies of his book will be given away to fellow marathon runners in Kansas City on Saturday.

“I think it is unique for a sponsor of a marathon, Waddell & Reed, to give a personal finance or financial planning book to the runners,” he said. “It shows they’re committed to the financial planning process.”

Mr. Douglas, a banker and marathon runner, wrote “The Money Marathon: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom” to give a simple introduction to financial planning.

Waddell & Reed is a financial adviser firm located in Kansas City.

The St. Joseph native retired from banking after 32 years. Now a longtime resident of Chillicothe, Mo., he still serves as a chairman emeritus of Citizens Bank and is a certified financial planner.

“I compare the steps in running and training for a marathon to financial success,” he said.

The steps outlined in the book include increasing income, saving, investing and making money work for you. It discusses raising your income and lowering your expenses; proven saving techniques and investing essentials; getting and staying out of debt; insurance, wills and other must-have documents, and how to make money work for you.

Mr. Douglas is a member of the 50 States Marathon Club and has run 14 marathons in 13 states.

He sold 8,000 copies of his first book, “Making a Million With Only $2,000.” The book teaches students the value of compound interest.

Readers can purchase the book at Borders in St. Joseph or online at www.eddouglas.com for $19.95.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.