🏃 Backwards, But Never Going Back: The Story of Baron Alberto Venturelli

A Sealander Doing Extraordinary Things

Some of the most remarkable people in the Sealand family have been quietly representing the nation for years before the rest of us catch up with them.

Baron Alberto Venturelli is one of those people.

A Baron and e-citizen of the Principality of Sealand, Alberto lives near Bologna in northern Italy and has spent the last three years representing Sealand at the highest level of one of the world's most unusual sports.

Backward running.

And no, we're not joking.

A Sport That Changed Everything

What starts as a quirky sporting story quickly becomes something much more meaningful.

Alberto didn't discover backward running while searching for a new athletic challenge.

He discovered it during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

"I got into it thanks to a friend of mine during a rather difficult period in my life. I'd put on a lot of weight and that had led to me becoming depressed."

At the time, Alberto was already an accomplished athlete as a member of the Italian national archery team.

A friend suggested he try backward running.

Just for fun.

Just to get moving again.

Instead, it changed his life.

"Even though I'd never run before, I discovered I was competitive. Thanks to this sport, I got back into shape and, as I always say, it saved my life."

For anyone familiar with the values behind Sealand Sport and the Pineapple Movement, that message feels very familiar.

A friend. A community. A reason to keep going.

That's what sport can do.

What Is Backward Running?

Backward running, also known as retro running, is a fully organised international sport with athletes competing across traditional track and road distances.

Events range from short sprints all the way to full marathons.

Yes.

That's 26.2 miles.

Backwards.

Originally developed as a rehabilitation and training method, backward running places less stress on the knees while improving balance, posture, and coordination.

Over time, it evolved into a competitive sport in its own right, with Italy becoming one of its strongest nations.

A World-Class Athlete

Once Alberto discovered the sport, he never looked back.

Literally.

Since 2014, he has represented Italy at two Backward Running World Championships:

• Essen, Germany (2016)
• Bologna, Italy (2018)

During that time he won:

🏅 5 World Championship medals
🏅 11 Italian National Championships

An incredible achievement in any sport.

Representing Sealand

Since 2022, Alberto has proudly represented the Principality of Sealand in competition.

Across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Italian National Championships he secured:

🥇 7 Gold Medals
🥈 2 Silver Medals

All while competing under the Sealand banner.

The Backward Running World Championships have not been held since before the Covid pandemic, but Alberto continues to compete every year at the highest level nationally.

Still running.

Still winning.

Still representing.

Believe in Yourself

What makes Alberto such a perfect representative of Sealand isn't the medals hanging around his neck.

It's the message he shares with others.

"On social media I've always tried to get the message across that we should always believe in ourselves and never give up."

That's easy advice to give.

It's much harder to live.

Alberto has lived it.

From struggling with depression and weight gain to becoming a world medallist and national champion, his story is proof that setbacks do not have to define what comes next.

A True Sealander

When people talk about what makes someone a Sealander, they're usually talking about independence, resilience, and the willingness to do things differently.

Alberto embodies all three.

He found hope in an unlikely sport.

He built success through persistence.

And now he uses his story to encourage others.

That's not just a backward runner.

That's a Sealander.

What's Next?

Alberto returns to competition on the 6th and 7th of June at the Italian National Backward Running Championships, once again representing the Principality of Sealand.

The entire Sealand family will be cheering him on.

Whether from a fort in the North Sea or from around the world.

Forza Alberto.

From the Sea, Freedom.

Even if you're heading towards it backwards.

🍍

🌍 Join the Sealand Journey

Sealand is more than a place, it’s a growing global community built on independence, creativity, and doing things differently.

From international sport to new ideas and events, this is just the beginning.

If you want to follow the journey, see what’s coming next, and be part of the story:

📲 Follow Sealand Sport

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🪪 Become an e-Citizen or learn more about the Principality

Join the Principality of Sealand as an official supporter and be part of a unique global community:
👉 http://sealandgov.org/?ref=sport