Van Trang, mother of four, wins women’s 42km at Y Ty Mua Vang: “I run with my legs, not with other people’s words”

When Van Trang crossed the finish line, her watch showed 4 hours and 26 minutes. That morning at the Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 trail race, few people paid attention to the fact that the woman taking off her shoes was a mother of four, a top female runner in the 42km distance, and the second-place finisher overall, behind only one male runner. The result showed her speed, climbing ability and endurance. But the result did not show the online comments about her body that she had to face after leaving the finish area. Van Trang, also known as Jang Doll, won the women’s 42km category at the event held on September 6, 2026 in the mountainous commune of Y Ty, Lao Cai Province. The route had more than 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation gain. It was a demanding course with steep slopes and thin mountain air. She finished in 4 hours and 26 minutes. Her overall position was second among all runners, ahead of almost every male participant in the race. The achievement alone was enough to make her a story of determination. Born in 2026, Van Trang is not a professional athlete in the traditional sense. She trains by running, going to the gym, swimming and doing supplementary exercises. In her own words, endurance comes from routine and discipline, not from sudden effort. During the race, she told herself to stay calm and keep energy for the final sections. She did not try to sprint too early. She focused on breathing, pacing and fueling at the right moments. Soon after her victory, instead of celebrating her performance, some online running groups began discussing her body. The conversation was not about her running technique or her time. It was about her chest. Some people made crude comments and suggested that she was carrying heavy objects while running. Van Trang did not stay silent. She answered directly: she challenged anyone to carry heavy weights through 42km or 55km of mountain trails. She said she runs with her legs, not with her appearance. She also said that negative comments became a kind of “vitamin C” for her mind. More importantly, she repeated that she would keep running and would not let other people’s mouths decide her path. When asked whether she would wear looser or more modest clothes to avoid judgment, Van Trang refused. She said sports clothing should first be comfortable and safe. She argued that changing herself because she was afraid of other people’s stares would mean living under their control. She chose to focus on the road and her goals. For her, a marathon is not always run in perfect conditions. Life is similar. Praise can make her happy, criticism can make her look deeper, but malicious words should be ignored. Van Trang’s story at Y Ty is an important reminder about how society views women in sports. A woman can finish ahead of almost all male runners in a difficult mountain race, yet still be treated as an object of mockery. That fact reveals a cultural problem, not a sporting problem. Instead of asking women to cover their bodies to avoid harassment, spectators should ask why those cruel comments are allowed to exist. Athletic clothing needs to allow freedom of movement and safety. A woman should not have to apologize for having a body while competing. The discussion about Van Trang also shows the need for better storytelling in sports. Stories about female athletes should start with their effort, their training routines, their tactical decisions and their families. Stories should not start with physical appearance. When media and audiences change their lens, the environment around women in sports will gradually change as well. Van Trang has already set her next goals: the VMM 70km race and then a 100km race at the end of the year. These are long, demanding distances that require months of preparation and strong mental resilience. If her performance at Y Ty is any guide, she has the strength to face those challenges. Her message is simple: let achievement speak. She does not need to become the version others want to see. She only wants to become a better version of herself every day.