Mother of four wins Y Ty Mua Vang 42km and hits back at body shamers: 'I run with my legs, not with others' mouths!'

On the morning of September 6, 2026, on the 42km trail of the Y Ty Mua Vang race in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, an unforgettable moment took place. Van Trang, lovingly known as Jang Doll, born in 2026 and a mother of four, crossed the finish line in 4 hours 26 minutes. This achievement not only earned her the women's 42km championship but also placed her second overall, just behind one male runner. She beat nearly the entire field of male runners, proving that endurance and mental strength go far beyond the physical gender stereotypes many still hold. The Y Ty Mua Vang course is famous for its steep terrain and cumulative elevation gain of more than 1,300m. Athletes must conquer the Lao Than summit at 2,860m above sea level, where thin air and harsh weather often force many to drop out. Despite this, Van Trang kept a steady rhythm, managed her energy well and fueled at the right moments. Sharing with reporters after finishing, she said: "The 42km distance has some slopes that almost drain your energy. At those moments, I only focused on the next segment ahead, kept my breathing steady, paced myself and replenished energy on time. I always told myself: 'Stay calm, as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance.'" Behind this result is a long and disciplined training process. Van Trang combines running with gym, swimming and supplementary exercises every day. She believes stamina does not come naturally; it is built through discipline and consistency. That same spirit helped her overcome not only steep hills but also the unreasonable online comments about her appearance. Shortly after crossing the finish line, some running forums circulated photos of her in tight sportswear and made vulgar remarks about her bust, even mocking her by saying she "carried two grapefruits" while running. Instead of staying silent, Van Trang gave a straightforward and spirited response. She wrote: "Honestly, I challenge anyone to carry two grapefruits while running 42km or even 55km through the mountains! I run with my legs, not with my looks, so why drag me into gossip groups? Others feel pressure, but I see it as 'vitamin C' for my spirit. What matters is that I still finished, I am still healthy and happy. Judges can judge; I run with my legs, not with other people's mouths!" The Hanoi-based runner also expressed a sincere hope for the community to look at women in sports with respect for their achievements and efforts. She affirmed: "For women who play sports, what deserves to be seen first is their effort and results. Appearance is everyone's own story; results come from years of training. When you see a girl on the racecourse, I hope people see someone trying to conquer her own limits." Van Trang also firmly said she would not change her attire or lifestyle just to avoid prying eyes, because if she feared public opinion, she would always live according to how others wanted to see her. "If I changed myself just because I was afraid of criticism, I would always have to live under other people's eyes. I choose to focus on the race and my goals. Marathon teaches me that you don't always run in perfect conditions; life is like that too. Compliments make me happy, criticism helps me reflect, but ill-intentioned words I learn to ignore." With her victory at Lao Than, Van Trang closes a glorious chapter. She repeatedly affirmed her passion for conquering tougher distances, with the immediate goal of the VMM 70km race and a 100km event later this year. "Let achievements speak. I don't need to become the version others want to see. It is enough to become a better version of myself every day," she said. The strength of a mother of four on the racecourse is not only an inspiration for Vietnam's trail community, but also a reminder that women always deserve respect for their abilities and dedication, not for unkind physical standards. Many supporters hope Van Trang's story will help change the backward mindset toward female runners and encourage more women to bravely pursue their athletic passion regardless of negative gossip. When strength and spirit are placed above all else, toxic voices will eventually become meaningless, because on the racecourse, only results and determination last long.