Michael Mazzara: CEO of Rogue Expeditions on Running Travel

As a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in building and nurturing thriving communities both running and technical

Michael Mazzara, known to friends and the running community as "Mazz," is the CEO of Rogue Expeditions, a pioneering company that's redefining the running experience through immersive travel adventures. Based in Austin, Texas, Michael has built his career around the philosophy that running should be about joy, exploration, and cultural connection rather than just competition and personal records. Running Journey Michael's unconventional path to running leadership began in Brooklyn, where he famously attempted to run a half marathon without any training—a decision that led to him sitting on the Brooklyn Bridge, unable to get up after hitting the 13.1-mile mark. This experience sparked both his love for distance running and his understanding that the sport requires a more thoughtful approach than pure willpower. Despite signing up for 15-20 marathons throughout his running career, Michael has only completed three, often sidelined by injuries that taught him valuable lessons about listening to his body and finding sustainable approaches to the sport. His struggles with the traditional racing model led him to question why running culture seemed so singularly focused on competition when other recreational sports like cycling and golf offered rich community experiences without the pressure to race. Professional Background A former water polo player in college, Michael spent several years in the corporate world before discovering his true calling in the intersection of running, travel, and community building. His experience as someone who was "either running or an injured runner waiting to run again" gave him unique insights into the frustrations many recreational runners face with the traditional racing paradigm. Rogue Expeditions Under Michael's leadership, Rogue Expeditions has grown from a small Austin-based company founded by a husband-and-wife team into a respected provider of running travel experiences across the globe. The company offers immersive cultural adventures in destinations like Morocco's Atlas Mountains, Iceland's dramatic landscapes, Italy's Dolomites, and Patagonia's wilderness areas. Michael's vision centers on "immersive cultural travel for runners"—experiences that combine the joy of running with deep cultural engagement, luxury accommodations, and expert guidance. His approach emphasizes safety, customization, and creating bucket-list experiences that prioritize adventure and connection over competition. Philosophy & Impact Michael advocates for what he calls the "stop racing, start exploring" mentality, believing that the running community has become too narrowly focused on racing as the primary outlet for the sport. He's passionate about creating alternative channels for runners to experience the joy of their sport while building meaningful communities and exploring the world's most beautiful places. His work has helped establish running travel as a legitimate alternative to traditional racing, particularly for runners who love the training process but feel mismatched with the competitive racing experience. Personal When not leading the charge at Rogue Expeditions, Michael continues his own running journey, recently recovering from a groin injury that sidelined him from a planned 50-mile race. He remains committed to the process of training and the meditative aspects of long-distance running, particularly enjoying trail running at places like Rymers Ranch outside Austin.