Van Trang and her 42km victory at Y Ty: "Run with your legs, not with other people's mouths"

On September 6, 2026, amid the mountain landscape of Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province, Van Trang crossed the finish line to applause from organizers and onlookers. Her watch stopped at 4 hours 26 minutes, an impressive result for a female runner completing a 42km trail race in demanding terrain. Not only did she win the women’s 42km category, she also finished second overall in the entire race, behind only one male competitor and ahead of nearly all other male runners. The Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 race took place over a course with more than 1,300m of cumulative elevation gain and reached 2,860m above sea level at Mount Lao Than. Long slopes, rocky paths and thin mountain air made the 42km distance a true test even for experienced trail runners. In that context, Van Trang’s victory was not just about time. It was proof of years of physical preparation, endurance and discipline. Speaking to reporters after the race, Van Trang said she encountered slopes that pushed her body close to exhaustion. At those moments, she chose to focus on the next section of the trail, control her breathing, manage her energy and fuel at the right time. She reminded herself that as long as she stayed calm and still had strength, she still had a chance. For her, endurance comes not from one sudden push but from consistent training and discipline. Besides running, she also does gym work, swimming and supplementary exercises to build fitness day by day. Strikingly, shortly after her achievement at Y Ty, the story took an unexpected turn on social media. A photo of her in comfortable sportswear was shared in some running groups with disrespectful comments. The discussion focused on her naturally large bust rather than her athletic performance. Some users even joked that she was “carrying two pomelos” while running. These remarks quickly created a wave of mixed opinions across online running communities. Instead of staying silent, Van Trang responded firmly. She challenged anyone to “carry two pomelos” while running 42km or 55km on mountain trails. She insisted that she runs with her legs, not with her appearance. She treated those negative comments as motivation to add more “vitamin C” to her spirit. Her words resonated with many people: “I run with my own legs, not with other people’s mouths.” Van Trang also expressed hope that society would take a more civilized view of women in sport. She said that when people look at a woman on the racecourse, what should be recognized first is effort and achievement, not superficial judgments about appearance. For her, appearance is a personal matter, while results are the product of years of training. When society continues to judge female athletes by how they look, their extraordinary effort is pushed aside. Asked whether she would change her outfit to avoid looks from others, the Hanoi runner insisted that sportswear must first be comfortable and safe. If she changed herself only because she feared negative comments, she would spend her life living under other people’s gaze. Instead, she chooses to focus on the course and her own goals. For her, marathon teaches people not only to be persistent on the track, but also to accept that conditions will never always be perfect. Van Trang’s story reflects a reality: compliments can bring joy, useful criticism can help people reflect, but unkind remarks should be ignored deliberately. She does not deny that pressure from social media can hurt anyone, especially women pursuing sport. Yet she has chosen to turn that pressure into motivation, so that every step on the trail becomes a statement of her true value. Looking back at Van Trang’s journey at Y Ty, it is clear that she did not win only with time. She won by staying mentally strong in an environment where women are often judged by appearance rather than ability. Her response carries a meaning larger than one personal rebuttal. It has become a message for women who are hesitant about joining running because they fear being judged. She proves that a woman can be both the mother of four children and a runner capable of competing with male athletes in an unforgiving race. At 35 years old, Van Trang continues to expand her limits. After her moment on Lao Than, she plans to conquer the 70km ultra trail category at the VMM race and later aims for the 100km distance at the end of the year. For her, each race is a milestone to test endurance, recovery and patience. Her message to the running community is simple: let achievement speak, and keep becoming a better version of yourself every day. Van Trang’s reply may sound sharp to some, but for many female athletes, such directness is necessary. When a woman trains for thousands of hours, runs hundreds of kilometers and pushes through pain on mountain trails, she deserves recognition for her performance — not shallow comments about her body. Van Trang understands that better than anyone because this is not the first time she has heard such gossip. But she refuses to let it stop her. The Vietnamese running community can learn from Van Trang’s story about how women in sport are treated. If fans truly admire an athlete, they should show respect, offer encouragement and recognize the effort behind every medal. Running is already difficult. Motherhood is demanding. Competing at a high level becomes even harder when athletes also have to fight social prejudice. That is why Van Trang’s finish at Y Ty should be seen as a symbol of endurance, not material for offensive jokes. She has proven that she can climb high mountains, complete brutal courses and remain calm amid ugly online noise. The clearest answer lies in her results and her consistent attitude under public pressure. The road ahead of Van Trang will be longer, harder and more challenging. But looking at how she conquered Y Ty and how she handled cyberbullying, there is good reason to believe she will keep reaching her goals. She does not need to become the version others want to see. She only needs to keep moving forward on her own legs, so that every breath on the course becomes the strongest statement of all. Ultimately, the words Van Trang left at Y Ty will probably echo in the running community for a long time: “Run with your legs, not with other people’s mouths.” That is not merely a comeback. It is a declaration for anyone who has ever been underestimated because of appearance, age or anything unrelated to their true ability.