Mother of four wins 42 km Y Ty Mua Vang 2026: “I run with my legs, not with other people’s mouths”

While most male runners in the 42km trail race at Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 were struggling through relentless climbs, Van Trang kept a steady rhythm and crossed the finish line ahead of nearly the entire men’s field. The runner born in 2026, nicknamed Jang Doll, took the No.1 female spot in the 42km distance and finished second overall in the whole race. Her time of 4 hours 26 minutes was beaten by only one male runner. The race took place on September 6 in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province. The course had more than 1,300m of cumulative elevation gain, at the foot of Lao Than peak, 2,860m above sea level. Steep slopes, thin mountain air and unpredictable weather made the 42km challenge tough even for experienced trail runners. Van Trang said the victory came from persistence. “The 42km course has slopes that nearly drain the body of energy. At those moments, I only focused on the segment ahead, kept my breathing steady, managed my effort and took fuel on time. I kept telling myself: stay calm; as long as I still have strength, I still have a chance.” The new champion said the difference between the first and second half of the race lies in workload management. “This endurance comes from regularity and discipline. Besides running, I do gym, swimming and supplementary exercises to build strength day by day.” Shortly after she stood on the podium, however, her image was dragged into an unpleasant conversation in some running groups. Instead of praising her performance, a number of social media users focused on her natural bust under a tight sports outfit. One comment even used the phrase “carrying two pomelos while running” to mock a runner who had just beaten dozens of male competitors. Van Trang chose a direct response. “I really dare anyone to carry two pomelos for a 42km or 55km mountain run! I run with my legs, not with my looks, so why put me in groups to gossip? Some people see pressure; I see it as vitamin C for my spirit. What matters is that I still finished, and I am happy and healthy. Judge all you want. I run with my legs, not with anybody’s mouth.” The Hanoi-based runner also asked the community to look at women in sport more civilly. “For women who play sport, the first thing to be appreciated is effort and results. Appearance is each person’s story, but achievement is the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the course, I want people to see someone working hard to conquer her own limits.” Asked whether she would choose looser clothing to avoid unwanted attention, Van Trang was firm. “Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I fear judgment, I might always live under other people’s eyes. I choose to focus on the course and my goal.” She added: “Marathon teaches me that I will not always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Compliments make me happy, criticism makes me reflect, and unkind words I learn to let go.” After her triumph at Lao Than, the 35-year-old mother of four has no intention of slowing down. Her next target is the VMM 70km race, a far tougher distance than the 42km at Y Ty. By the end of the year, she plans to conquer a 100km event. With her current progress and daily discipline, that ambition seems within reach. She closed with a message for herself and for anyone judged by appearance: “Let results speak. I do not need to become the version others want to see. It is enough to become a better version of myself every day.” Van Trang’s reply is not merely the final word in an online debate. It is the statement of an athlete who chooses achievement over explanation. Every step she placed on the Y Ty course ahead of many male runners said what words struggle to express: true respect comes from real effort, not from judging eyes.