Mother of four Van Trang wins Y Ty 42km – 'I run with my legs, not with other people's mouths'

4 hours 26 minutes was the time Van Trang needed to finish the 42km distance at the Y Ty Golden Season 2026 trail race held on September 6. That result made the 2026-born female runner, nicknamed Jang Doll, the first woman to cross the finish line and second overall, beating nearly all male runners except one. The 42km course around Lao Than mountain reaches 2,860m above sea level, with more than 1,300m of accumulated elevation gain, steep slopes and thin highland air. Speaking with reporters after finishing, Van Trang said she broke the race into smaller segments so the distance could not overwhelm her: “There were climbs that almost drained my energy. At those moments I focused only on the next stretch, kept my breathing steady, managed my effort and fuelled at the right time. I kept telling myself: ‘Stay calm; as long as you have strength, you still have a chance.’” The Hanoi-born runner also said her fitness base was not built overnight. In addition to running, she does gym work, swimming and supplementary exercises every day to build strength over time. Being a mother of four has not disrupted her training schedule too much, because she treats training as a disciplined habit, just as she teaches her children about discipline. However, Van Trang's story did not stop at the medal. Shortly after she left the podium, some social media users shared her racing photos with disrespectful comments about her chest. A few even used the phrase “carrying two grapefruits while running” to mock her, turning a winning moment into an object of body-shaming. Instead of staying silent, the female runner hit back: “I really challenge anyone to carry two grapefruits and run 42km or 55km in the mountains! I run with my legs, not with my appearance, so why put me in groups to gossip? Other people see pressure, I see motivation – extra vitamin C for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finish and stay healthy. Judge all you want, I run with my own legs, not with other people's mouths.” She believes women in sport should first be recognised for their effort and achievements. “Appearance is personal, but performance is the result of years of training. When people look at a woman on the course, I hope they see someone pushing her own limits,” Van Trang said. Asked whether she would change her outfit to avoid stares, the mother of four insisted she would not live according to other people's opinions. She explained: “Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I changed myself just because I feared rude comments, I would have to live my whole life under the eyes of others. I choose to focus on the course and my goal.” After her victory at Y Ty, Van Trang plans to conquer the 70km distance at the upcoming VMM 70km race and later aims for the 100km category at the end of the year. She ended the conversation with a message: “Let your achievement speak. I don't need to become the version others want to see. It is enough to become a better version of myself every day.”