Van Trang wins Y Ty 2026 42km, hits back at body shamers: “I run with my legs, not with the gossip of others”

On September 6, 2026, the Y Ty Mua Vang race in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province witnessed a memorable milestone in the 42km category. Van Trang, nicknamed Jang Doll, not only finished first among women but also ranked second overall. The runner born in 2026, a mother of four, crossed the finish line in 4 hours 26 minutes, ahead of almost all male runners, behind only one person. Her finish against the backdrop of the northwestern mountains immediately became a hot topic in the running community. The 42km course in Y Ty is considered one of the toughest challenges of this year’s race. The area includes Lao Than peak, 2,860m above sea level, with more than 1,300m of cumulative elevation gain. Steep slopes, thin air and rocky mountain terrain force runners to calculate every step. For Van Trang, the result of 4 hours 26 minutes came not from luck but from years of consistent training. Speaking to reporters shortly after finishing, Van Trang recalled the feeling on the longest climbs: “In the 42km distance, there are slopes that make my body almost run out of energy. At that moment, I only focused on the section ahead, kept my breathing steady, managed my strength and refueled at the right time. I kept telling myself: ‘Stay calm; as long as I still have energy, I still have a chance.’” The Hanoi runner said that to achieve such physical conditioning, she not only runs but also combines going to the gym, swimming and supplementary exercises. Regularity and discipline in each plan are the most important factors helping her conquer long routes. For her, every practice session is a chance to build strength for bigger goals ahead. However, Van Trang’s story at Y Ty did not stop at the result. Shortly after leaving the awards podium, her image was posted by some accounts in running groups with rude comments. Instead of discussing athletic effort, a number of online users focused on her natural bust under the tight sportswear. They even used the phrase “carrying two grapefruits while running” to mock her. Instead of staying silent, the mother of four immediately responded directly: “I really dare anyone to carry two grapefruits while running 42km or 55km on mountain trails! I run with my legs, not with my looks, so why put me in groups to gossip? Some people see pressure; I see it as ‘vitamin C’ for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finished, and I am still happy and healthy. Judge as you like — I run with my own legs, not with the mouth of the crowd.” Beyond defending herself, Van Trang also sent a message about how women in sport should be viewed. She said frankly: “For women in sport, the first thing to be recognized should be effort and achievement. Appearance is each person’s story, while achievement is the result of years of training. When you look at a girl on the running path, I hope you see someone working hard to conquer her own limits.” When asked whether she would choose looser or more modest clothing to avoid prying eyes, the Y Ty champion said firmly: “Sportswear must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I fear scrutiny, I would always end up living according to other people’s eyes. I choose to focus on the route and my goal. Marathon teaches me that I will not always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Compliments make me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and unkind remarks I learn to ignore.” With the glory at Lao Than behind her, Van Trang quickly looked toward new challenges. Her next goal is the brutal Ultra Trail distance at the VMM 70km race in the near future, followed by the 100km category at the end of the year. For her, each longer distance is not only a physical test but also a chance to check her mental strength and patience. “Let results 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,” Van Trang said of her determination for the next journey. The phrase “I run with my legs, not with the mouth of the crowd” has become her strongest reply to those who turn sport into a place for judging appearance. The image of the cheerful mother of four finishing near the top of the overall rankings says the most important thing: a runner’s value lies in effort, endurance and the heart for the trail, not in meaningless gossip on the sidelines. The article uses video and photos provided by the athlete.