Van Trang – mother of four wins Y Ty 42km: “I run with my legs, not with gossiping mouths”

Y Ty in harvest season is already beautiful with ripe terraced rice fields. On September 6, 2026, the mountains of Lao Cai witnessed an image that made dozens of heads turn. Van Trang, an amateur runner born in 2026 from Hanoi, crossed the finish line of the 42km distance at the Y Ty Golden Season race in 4 hours 26 minutes. That performance placed her first among women and second overall, only behind one male runner. Even more striking, she is a mother of four children and completed a trail course that forced many younger runners to drop out. The 42km route around Y Ty gives no mercy. It includes more than 1,300 meters of cumulative elevation gain, with long, steep climbs around Mount Lao Than, 2,860 meters above sea level. Thin air and mountain mist test even experienced athletes. There, physical strength is not the only deciding factor; patience and energy management become weapons. Van Trang said she broke the race into small segments, kept her breathing steady and fueled at the right moments. “Stay calm; as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance,” she repeated whenever her body neared empty. “My endurance comes from consistency and discipline. Besides running, I do gym, swimming and supplementary exercises to build strength every day,” she told reporters. For a mother of four, finding training time is not easy, but a disciplined schedule gave her the foundation to stand on the podium. Yet Van Trang’s story does not stop at medals. After images of her finish appeared in running groups, some netizens ignored her performance. They focused on her natural bust under a tight sports top and mocked her with crude phrases such as “carrying two grapefruits while running.” Pressure over appearance is common for female athletes, but Van Trang chose to answer directly. “I 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 gossip groups?” she said. The Hanoi-born runner did not treat negative comments as a wound but as fuel. “People see pressure; I see vitamin C for my mind. What matters is that I still finished and I feel great. Judge as you like. I run with my feet, not with people’s mouths.” Her phrase “Run with your legs, not with gossiping mouths” quickly found support in the running community. It also raised a bigger question: Is society looking at women in sport through too narrow a lens? Women athletes should be recognized for sweat, discipline and results, not body measurements. Van Trang hopes fans will show greater respect to all female runners. “When you look at a girl on the course, I hope you see someone trying to conquer her own limits.” She was also asked whether she would choose looser clothes to avoid prying eyes. The Y Ty champion was firm: “Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I fear judgment, I will always live by other people’s looks. I choose to focus on the trail and my goals.” That mindset comes from a philosophy marathon taught her. “Marathon teaches me that I cannot always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me review, and ill-intended words I learn to ignore.” For Van Trang, the Y Ty win is not the final destination. She plans to run the 70km ultra distance at VMM and aims for the 100km category by the end of the year. Seeing a mother of four pursue ultra-trail remains rare in Vietnam, and her story makes that rarity meaningful. “Let achievements speak. I don’t need to become the version other people want to see. It is enough to become a better version of myself every day,” Van Trang emphasized. At 35, she shows that women can be mothers, conquer brutal trails and face social prejudice with confidence and emotional intelligence. She does not need everyone to like her; she simply wants people to see a mirror of relentless effort. If you meet her on a trail someday, don’t judge her by appearance. Watch how she moves her legs, because they tell the most honest story.