At 20 years old, Connor Mulvaney set his sights on competing in the Boston Marathon.

Just months after setting his goal, Mulvaney raced in the November Philadelphia Marathon, setting a time of 3:01:12, four minutes below the necessary qualifying time. 

Mulvaney will be competing in next year’s Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015.

“I keep Boston in mind all the time now, that’s the ultimate goal,” said the Pittsburgh native.

At 14, Mulvaney decided that he wanted to try out for his high school cross-country team. His older sister Katie ran cross-country as well and played an influential role in his decision to try out.

Mulvaney fell in love with the sport, continuing on to compete at the collegiate level.

“Connor put a lot into the sport… He has stepped up his game even further and brought his game up to that level,” said Ryan Mischler, former teammate and current training partner.

His path toward the prestigious race has not been an easy one after overcoming two injuries. The former Globe photojournalist was just cleared to run again last week after an ankle fracture caused him to miss his senior season. 

He also endured an injury to his leg last year just before the National Association of  Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Cross-Country Nationals, taking him out of the running.

While healing, Mulvaney has been establishing himself in the photography world. He won several awards and scholarships and is currently interning at the Post-Gazette and freelancing. 

“He’s accomplished at Point Park what he set out as a freshman to accomplish, both academically and athletically,” said cross-country coach Jim Irvin. 

In 2013, Mulvaney ran in the Pittsburgh Marathon.

“I zigzagged around the course and was high-fiving people and waiting for my buddy that was running it with me,” Mulvaney said.

After crossing the finish line, Mulvaney dropped his medal  in shock when hearing that he might have qualified for Boston. That year the time regulations were lowered to three hours and five minutes instead of 10.  

“The following fall, I ran in Philly and qualified, but even then it was a nail biter,” he laughed.

Mulvaney found himself cruising past runners in the top seed at the start. Although he kept a close eye on his pace, he thought, “Well I feel good, I can keep it up.”

Mulvaney realized his detrimental mistake about 20 miles later.  His muscles began to give out, forcing him to walk. 

“My muscles were just tired. The last six miles were absolutely miserable,” Mulvaney said.

Runners that he had long since left in the dust were beginning to catch up with him. They encouraged and pushed him to finish strong.

“I got to the last mile and my sister was actually behind the ropes on the side of the course running with me,” Mulvaney said.

The excitement at the end of the marathon pushed Mulvaney to the finish line where he was finally able to bask in the rewards of his hard work.

“I’m interested to see what I can do now that I’m setting my mind to it and making a plan.” Mulvaney said.