Van Trang — a mother of four wins 42km in Y Ty and hits back at body shamers: 'Run with your legs, not with people's mouths'

The finish line at Y Ty is not wide, but the gate opened a much larger space for the story of a mother of four. When Van Trang crossed the finish at 4 hours 26 minutes, many mistook her for a male runner because she was leading the race. The results showed her real achievement: first female in the 42km category and second overall, with only one male runner ahead. The 2026 Y Ty Golden Season race took place on September 6 in Lao Cai, on a 42km trail with more than 1,300m of elevation gain and a peak climbing toward 2,860m at Lao Than. Steep slopes and thin mountain air usually push female runners far behind. Her second-place overall finish is therefore an exception worth studying. There is no special secret. Van Trang trains strictly: running, gym, swimming and strength work. She said she focused on each section of the route, kept breathing steady and managed energy. That is the mindset of a true distance athlete. Sadly, her image was posted in Facebook running groups for body shaming. Commenters focused on her natural chest and joked that she was 'carrying two pomelos to run.' Van Trang answered with a sharp statement: she dared anyone carrying two pomelos to run 42km or 55km of mountain trails; she runs with her legs, not with her appearance; she still finished healthy and happy; and judgmental voices simply do not change her journey. Asked whether she would wear looser clothes to avoid stares, the champion said sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. She refused to change herself because of other people's eyes. She learned from marathon training that not every race happens in perfect conditions, and she chooses to ignore hostile comments. Her story reflects a bigger issue: society still tends to treat women's bodies in sport as decoration, not as tools for competition. Van Trang demonstrates discipline and self-belief. 'Khi sân vận động trống rỗng, những tiếng nói bình thường bỗng trở thành thủ lĩnh' she represents the voices of ordinary women who become leaders on the empty route. Now she is aiming at VMM 70km and, by the end of the year, a 100km ultra race. 'Let achievements speak. I don't need to become the version others want to see. Becoming a better version of myself every day is enough.'