Van Trang - mother of four wins Y Ty 42km and fiercely responds: 'I run with my legs, not with others' mouths'

Lao Cai, among the golden terraced fields of Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, the Y Ty Golden Season trail race took place on September 6, 2026. Among more than a thousand runners, one name stood out: Van Trang, nicknamed Jang Doll – a mother of four, born in 2026, from Hanoi. She not only won the women's 42km category in 4 hours 26 minutes but also finished second overall, behind only one male runner. This achievement made many male runners take off their hats in admiration. The 42km course in Y Ty is known as one of the harshest trail routes in the Northwest, with more than 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation gain and an altitude of up to 2,860 meters above sea level when passing through Lao Than peak. Thin air and steep slopes tested the physical and mental strength of all runners. Van Trang displayed extremely wise pacing. She did not start too fast like some young runners, but steadily followed each kilometer, maintaining a stable breathing rhythm and knowing when to refuel. Sharing with reporters, Van Trang said: 'The 42km has sections of slopes that nearly drain all your energy. At those moments, I only focused on the section right ahead, kept my breath, distributed my strength, and recharged at the right time. I always told myself: Stay calm, as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance. This endurance comes from consistency and discipline. Besides running, I do gym, swimming, and supplementary exercises to build up strength every day.' Van Trang's explanation shows a professional sports mindset. Instead of thinking of the endless 42km distance, she divided it into small goals and focused on each section. This is exactly the mental tactic that endurance coaches often recommend to their athletes: live in the present, run one step at a time. However, the story did not end with achievements. Right after her finish photo was shared on social media, some accounts made indecent comments, referring to her chest with a crude phrase: 'carrying two grapefruits while running.' Instead of praising an extraordinary athletic effort, they stared at this woman's appearance. Van Trang chose not to stay silent. On her personal page, she responded directly and strongly: 'I dare anyone to carry two grapefruits and run 42km or 55km on mountain roads! I run with my legs, not with my appearance. Why drag me into groups to talk? People see pressure, I see it as motivation and vitamin C for the spirit. The important thing is I still finished, I am healthy and happy. Judge as you will, I run with my own legs, not with the mouths of the crowd!' Her words were both confident and coldly strong. She added that she hopes people will have a more civilized view of women in sports: 'The first thing to recognize about women playing sports is their effort and achievements. Appearance is a personal matter, but achievements are the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the track, I hope you see a person trying to overcome her own limits.' Trail running requires not only physical strength but also patience and courage. Despite being a mother of four, Van Trang still arranges time to train every day. She often starts her run at 5 a.m., then goes to the gym and swimming pool in the evening. Many people think having four children takes up all the time, but Van Trang sees it as motivation to become a better version of herself. 'I don't need to be the version others want to see. Just be a better version of myself every day.' From the perspective of following Vietnam's running movement for years, I see Van Trang's second-place overall finish in a race with many male participants as very rare. In many trail races in Vietnam, the top 10 is usually dominated by men, and women rarely reach the leading group. The appearance of a woman in second place overall is a welcome sign for the development of physical strength and gender equality in sports. What matters more is that Van Trang's response to body shaming showed not only that she is a good athlete but also that she understands her own worth. In the running community, many female runners have silently quit because of judgmental stares about their clothing, weight, or body shape. Van Trang has bravely voiced a message beyond the scope of a sport: the right to live as one truly is. When asked if she would change her outfit to avoid prying eyes, Van Trang was resolute: 'Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself only because I am afraid of gossiping eyes, I will have to live my life according to others' views. I choose to focus on the track and my goals. Marathon teaches me that I don't always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same.' The incident spread strongly across running forums, and many people voiced support for Van Trang. Some running groups posted praise for the spirit of 'running for passion, not with the mouths of others.' Thanks to her story, many young female runners feel more confident about how they look on the track. Looking back at Van Trang's achievement of 4 hours 26 minutes, it is clear she has impressive athletic conditioning. On a 42km course with high elevation like Y Ty, maintaining an average pace below 7 minutes per kilometer is not something every male runner can do. Van Trang showed the results of her long-term discipline: early morning runs, nights in the gym, and a serious diet. She is a living proof of the saying: 'There are gems not on the leaderboard, but under the dust of effort.' People often say women trail runners are lonely warriors, but Van Trang is not alone. She has her family always accompanying her, the Hanoi running community supporting her, and now many fans who respect both her achievements and her courage. Her next goal is the 70km distance at the upcoming Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM), and further, the 100km race at the end of the year. With what she has shown at Y Ty, no one can doubt her ability to achieve these goals. As she once said: 'Stay calm, as long as you have energy, you still have a chance.' In short, Van Trang's story is not only about an outstanding individual but also a role model for the sports community, especially women, in fighting gender prejudice and promoting a healthy sports spirit. She is an inspiration to busy mothers and to women who are afraid their passion will be judged. 'Let achievement speak' – Van Trang's message will continue to echo along Vietnam's long trail routes.