Van Trang, top female finisher at 42km Y Ty Mu Vang 2026: 'Run with your legs, not with the gossip of others'

When the clock at the finish line showed 4 hours 26 minutes, Van Trang did not shout. She simply knelt down, caught her breath, and looked back at the Lo Tha Than mountain range – which had tested her with nearly 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation throughout a 42km journey. The image of the woman born in 2026, mother of four children, ranking second overall behind only one male runner, became a powerful message for Vietnam's trail running movement: women's achievements are no longer exceptions. Y Ty Mu Vang 2026 took place on September 6 in Lao Cai province, known as one of the most challenging trail courses in the Northwest. The 42km course had more than 1,300 meters of accumulated climb, with steep inclines, slippery rocks, and high-altitude thin air. Many male runners had to stop at aid stations due to cramps, but Van Trang maintained her steady rhythm for many hours. Her victory did not come from luck. She shared with reporters that she broke the race into small sections, focused on breathing, and listened to her body at the right moments. She told herself: “Stay calm; as long as you still have strength, you still have a chance.” Few people know that Van Trang – also called Jang Doll – has been raising four young children while maintaining a serious training schedule. Besides running, she also combines gym work, swimming, and supplementary exercises to build lasting endurance. That discipline transformed a housewife into a mountain champion. When watching the clip provided by Van Trang herself, I remembered a phrase I once wrote: “When the stands are empty, the only applause left is your own.” On the mountain there are no crowded stands or cheering fences; there are only footsteps, breathing, and inner will. Van Trang applauded herself with every persistent stride. However, the glorious moment was nearly overshadowed by rude comments about her physical appearance. When photos of her at the award ceremony were shared, a group of online users focused on her natural curves under the tight sportswear. They used crude words such as “carrying two grapefruit” to mock her, turning an admirable sports achievement into an impolite topic. Instead of staying silent, Van Trang immediately responded: “I honestly dare anyone to carry two grapefruit and run 42km or 55km in the mountains! I run with my legs, not with my appearance. People see pressure; I see that as vitamin C for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finished and I am still happy and healthy.” Her answer quickly went viral. It was not just a personal retort but also struck at a prejudice that still exists in women's sports: people are willing to scrutinize a female athlete's body before looking at her achievements. In many years of following sports, I have witnessed many female runners being judged because of their competition clothes, their non-standard bodies, or their comfortable style on the road. But sport is not a beauty contest. A woman with four children can complete a 42km mountain course with nearly 1,300 meters of climb in 4 hours 26 minutes – that deserves far more respect than superficial comments about her body. Van Trang did not stop at a reply. She made the story even deeper when asked if she would change how she dressed to avoid judgment. She affirmed: “Sports outfits must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I am afraid of scrutiny, I would always have to live under other people's eyes. I choose to focus on the road and my goals.” That statement carries a strong life philosophy: do not shrink because of gossip; let actions and perseverance speak for yourself. For her, positive comments are motivation, criticism is a lesson to reflect on, and malicious words are simply ignored. What makes Van Trang's story memorable is not the medal but how she faced prejudice. We still impose strange standards on female athletes' bodies. If she is too thin, people say she lacks strength; if she has clear curves, people turn it into a joke. But elite sport does not distinguish body shapes. What matters is the heart, lungs, and persistent training. Van Trang runs with her legs, with the heart of a mother, with the desire to conquer challenges – something disrespectful online comments can never take away. From a writer's perspective, this is not only the story of a Y Ty champion. It is a story about how we view women in sport and how each woman defines her own worth. In a society still full of stereotypes, a mother of four who trains day and night, overcomes muscle pain and fatigue, to finish in the overall top group is clear evidence that strength does not come from appearance. It comes from discipline, self-love, and relentless effort. To me, records are just an excuse to remember a person, not just a number. The number 4 hours 26 minutes will be updated in later races, but the way Van Trang stood up for herself against meaningless criticism will remain in many hearts. There is something more durable than a title: the way others remember how you played. Audiences may forget exact rankings, but they will remember a woman running in the mountains with a warrior spirit. They will remember how she overcame steep slopes, kept her breathing steady, and smiled when finishing even though her body was exhausted. Van Trang's story also opens a necessary debate: have we truly respected women's sport? For years, women's races and women's categories have often been undervalued in the media. People prefer discussing appearance rather than tactics or the hardship of training. Even when a female athlete breaks records, comments such as “she runs well but looks bad” still appear. This shows how deeply prejudice is rooted. But Van Trang is a typical representative of a new generation of runners: they are not silent, they do not apologize for their bodies, and they are willing to fight back with numbers, achievements, and a life fully devoted to passion. At age 35, not every runner would dare to think of upgrading to a 100km race after a successful season. But Van Trang does not hide her ambition. She revealed that her immediate goal is to conquer VMM 70km – a prestigious ultra trail race in Vietnam – and at the end of this year she will try the 100km distance. The journey from a mother running for health to the second-place finisher at Y Ty Mu Vang, then toward distances that truly test physical limits, proves that age is not a barrier, and neither are stereotypes. “Let achievements speak. I do not need to become the version others want to see. Becoming a better version of myself every day is enough,” she said with determination. Van Trang's words will likely inspire many Vietnamese women who hesitate to start a sport because they fear being judged. Her message is clear: run with your own legs. Do not let the numbers on a scale, negative gossip, or inferiority stop you from stepping to the starting line. The playground belongs to everyone, regardless of age, number of children, or body shape. If you persevere, the road will answer you with extraordinary things. The wind on Lo Tha Than summit can be cruel to those lacking endurance, but to Van Trang, that wind is fueling a passion. She leaves Y Ty with a medal and many lessons. In the future, perhaps we will see a Vietnamese woman conquering the world's harshest ultratrail events. When that day comes, people will remember not the rude “carrying grapefruit” talk, but the strong phrase: “I run with my legs, not with the gossip of others.” In a society gradually becoming more civilized, that is a message all of us – men and women – need to remember, to love and respect each other more, especially in the world of sport.