Mother of four wins Y Ty 42km trail: 'I run with my feet, not with gossip!'

Van Trang, a mother of four from Hanoi, made an impressive mark at the 2026 Y Ty Golden Season trail race in Lao Cai. She won the women's 42km category with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes, finishing second overall behind only one male runner. But the achievement was nearly overshadowed by mean online comments about her body. Instead of staying silent, she responded strongly, reminding everyone that women in sports should be judged by their effort and results. The 42km course at Y Ty is one of Vietnam's toughest mountain trails, with over 1,300m of elevation gain and a summit at 2,860m above sea level. Van Trang used a smart strategy, focusing on each section, controlling her breath, and managing energy carefully. She credited her success to years of disciplined training, including running, gym, swimming, and supportive workouts. Many online users mocked her natural curves under tight sportswear. Van Trang hit back: "I dare anyone to carry two grapefruits for 42km or 55km of mountain road! I run with my feet, not with my body." She refused to change her outfit out of fear, insisting that sportswear must be comfortable and safe. Her philosophy is simple: praise makes you happy, criticism helps you reflect, and toxic comments should simply be ignored. Van Trang now plans to run the VMM 70km ultra trail and then challenge the 100km distance later this year. Her story sends a powerful message about women's strength, resilience, and the right to be seen first as athletes, not objects. She believes that every day is a chance to become a better version of yourself. Let results speak for themselves — that is Van Trang's principle, and she proved it with every step on the mountain.