Mother of four wins Y Ty 42km, second overall: I run with my legs, not with other people's mouths

Y TY, Lao Cai – There are sporting achievements that make people fall silent in awe. When Van Trang crossed the finish line of the 42km distance at the Y Ty Golden Season 2026 race, she did more than become the first woman to finish. She finished second overall in 4 hours 26 minutes, beating almost every male runner except one. But shortly after she left the podium, her image was shared in some running groups with snide comments. Instead of talking about the harsh route or her strong finish, many focused on her natural curves in tight sports clothing. Some even joked that she was “carrying two grapefruits” while running. The 42km route at Y Ty has more than 1,300m of elevation gain and climbs to 2,860m above sea level around Mount Lao Than. Thin air and steep slopes make the race ruthless. For a mother of four born in 2026, becoming the fastest woman in the 42km and second overall was remarkable. Van Trang said she stayed calm, controlled her breathing, managed her energy and reminded herself that as long as she had strength left, she still had a chance. She credited years of consistent training, including running, gym, swimming and supplementary exercises, for her endurance. She hit back at body-shaming comments with a blunt message: she challenges anyone to run 42km or 55km in the mountains while carrying two grapefruits. She said she runs with her legs, not with her body shape, and that judgmental words become her “vitamin C” for mental strength. The Hanoi-based runner also called for a more civilized view of women in sport, asking people to see effort and achievement before appearance. Asked whether she would change her clothes to avoid being judged, she said sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe, and she refuses to live her life through other people’s eyes. After the race, Van Trang is preparing for the VMM 70km race and eventually a 100km ultra race at the end of the year. Her message is simple: let achievement speak, and be a better version of yourself every day.