Mile 14 continues through Golden Gate Park, surrounded by a handful of grassy meadows and lakes nestled within the park.
The Mile begins on Transverse Drive, where runners continue into the south side of Golden Gate Park. Here, runners pass Elk Glen Lake, one of the less crowded lakes within the park and a popular destination for birdwatchers: the small lake is known to be the home to Lincoln Sparrows, American Wigeons, Mallards, Buffleheads, and Belted Kingfishers.
Continuing further along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, runners reach Mallard Lake, another small and lesser-known lake within Golden Gate Park. Also popular with birdwatchers, Mallard Lake attracts Black Phoebe, Downy Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Pygmy Nuthatch and Song Sparrow.
About the author
Erin Mara is a writer and runner living in San Francisco. Her favorite city runs, along with her trusted training buddy, Izzy, include the Bay Trail from Fort Mason to the Golden Gate Bridge; Golden Gate Park out to Ocean Beach; and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, through the Presidio and out to the California Coastal Trail and Baker Beach – where she recently got engaged mid-run at the Pacific Overlook.
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