Van Trang wins 42km at Y Ty: “Run with your feet, not with other people's mouths”

Van Trang created one of the most memorable marks at the 2026 Y Ty Golden Season race when she finished first among women in the 42km distance with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes. The result helped her win first place among women and rank second overall, just behind one male runner. The event took place in the mountainous area of Y Ty, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, where the trail route is famous for more than 1,300 meters of cumulative elevation gain and steep slopes. Runners had to deal with thin air at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, cold wind and rocky terrain. In that context, a mother of four born in 2026 not only completed the demanding distance but also competed fairly with male runners. What seemed like an inspiring story suddenly took another turn. Images of Van Trang in a tight sports outfit at the finish line were posted by some social media accounts in running groups with indecent comments about her natural bust. A part of the online community used vulgar terms to judge her appearance instead of recognizing the achievement. The Hanoi female athlete did not stay silent. During a conversation with a reporter after the award ceremony, she responded directly: “I honestly dare anyone to carry two grapefruits while running 42km or 55km on mountain roads! I run with my feet, not with my looks. People see pressure, I see it as mental vitamin C. The important thing is that I still finished and feel healthy.” She stressed: “Let them judge. I run with my legs, not with other people's mouths.” Her statement quickly spread through the running community. Alongside support, many asked: Why does a high-achieving female athlete still have to suffer comments about her appearance? And does Van Trang's response escalate the controversy or help people see the real issue? To answer that, we need to look at the context of trail running in Vietnam. The sport is growing fast, and the number of female participants has risen steadily. However, gender stereotypes still exist: women in sport are often judged on clothing and body shape more than technique. Female athletes, especially those over 30, have to prove themselves through many metrics, while men are rarely questioned in the same way. For Van Trang, she said she does not run to receive compliments. The preparation for the race lasted many months with strict discipline. Besides running, she also does gym workouts, swimming and supplementary exercises to build endurance. The 42km course had slopes that almost drained her energy. At that point, she focused only on each section ahead, kept her breathing steady and managed her energy wisely. Remembering the moments when she almost wanted to quit, Van Trang shared: “I always told myself: stay calm, as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance.” La Than peak, where the race passed, is at 2,860 meters above sea level. Thin air made heart rates rise and muscles tire quickly. The champion’s strategy was to divide the route into short sections. After each climb, she allowed herself a few seconds of rest if needed, but never stopped too long. That patience helped her surge in the final kilometers when many rivals were exhausted. Van Trang's story is not just about winning. The way she handled the criticisms showed remarkable maturity. When asked if she would wear looser clothing to avoid staring eyes, she shook her head. For her, sports attire must first be comfortable and safe. If she changed herself out of fear of scrutiny, she would always live under others' eyes. “Marathon teaches me that you do not always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and unkind words I learn to ignore,” she said. This raises a broader issue. More and more inspirational female faces are appearing in running races, but recognition has not kept pace with online etiquette. Instead of celebrating training results, some audiences still prefer to comment on waistlines, busts or skin color. That unintentionally makes sporting achievement secondary. Looking seriously, Van Trang's direct response is not an overreaction. It reflects a new trend: female athletes are using their voices to demand respect. They do not need pity or a symbolic apology. They need the public to see effort and achievement first. Van Trang made her view clear: “For women in sport, the first thing worthy of recognition must be effort and achievement. Appearance is each person's own story, while achievement is the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the running course, I hope you see someone trying to conquer her own limits.” Her journey does not stop here. After Y Ty, Van Trang plans to conquer VMM 70km, one of the toughest ultratrail distances in Vietnam. By the end of the year, she expects to try the 100km category. For a mother of four, arranging training time is not easy. She often wakes up at 4 a.m. to run before taking her children to school. On weekends, she joins long runs with friends in Soc Son or Ba Vi. On rainy days, she switches to home gym workouts to maintain lower-body strength. That perseverance comes from setting small goals. Van Trang says her secret is nothing special: just try to improve a little every day compared with yesterday. She does not believe in sudden inspiration or luck. Every medal she wears was earned by runs in the rain and exhausting evening workouts. Now her 4-hour-26-minute performance at Y Ty has become a milestone for her bigger dream. Speaking of future plans, Van Trang said: “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.” That mindset may make many people reconsider how they view female athletes. On the course, the final measure is not bust size or skin color, but the distance covered and how they get up after every fall. The photos provided by Van Trang show a mother passionate about sports, inspiring her children. In the clip of her finishing, a child’s voice calling “Mom!” moved many viewers. That detail shows that a sporting role model’s influence is not merely about achievement. It lies in how people remember her competitive spirit and how she raises her children by action, not just words. In a context where women's sport still faces prejudice, Van Trang's reaction may seem unusual. But if every female athlete chose silence, the judgmental comments would continue. Her frankness draws a line: runners have the right to protect their values, and audiences should learn to respect those boundaries. Running is a sport tied to freedom; freedom must begin with being able to live as oneself. The 2026 Y Ty Golden Season has ended, but the conversations triggered by Van Trang's achievement remain a big question. Does a high-performing female athlete have to constantly face comments about her appearance? Van Trang's answer is not found in apologies from those who mocked her. It lies in the way she continues to step onto the running course, patiently trains, and expands her own limits. When a woman chooses to shine with her own feet, the road is always wider than the judging mouths of the world.