Van Trang – mother of four wins women’s 42km at Y Ty: Body shaming can’t touch her legs

Lao Than mountain top was still covered with clouds, but Van Trang’s smile was free of “fog”. When she crossed the finish line of the 42km distance at Y Ty Golden Season 2026, the clock stopped at 4 hours 26 minutes. For a woman who had just climbed more than 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation, where steep slopes connected every single meter, that number was enough to make many male runners look up in respect. But the person standing right behind her was not a familiar rival on the course. In fact, as soon as her finish-line photo went viral, she had to face something that never appears on a result sheet: judging eyes. Van Trang did not just take first place among women and second overall – she also delivered a bold answer to a wave of inappropriate comments about her body: “I run with my legs, not with other people’s mouths.” The 2026 Y Ty Golden Season race in Lao Cai has a 42km trail with more than 1,300 meters of cumulative elevation gain. The highland terrain forgives no one who lacks preparation. Thin air, steep climbs and broken breathing are the toughest test for any runner, regardless of gender. That makes Van Trang’s victory even more meaningful when she beat nearly all male competitors, finishing only behind one male athlete overall. Talking about her performance, Van Trang shared: “The 42km course has slopes that almost drain your energy. At that moment I only focused on the next section, kept my breathing steady, paced myself and refueled at the right time. I always told myself: ‘Stay calm, as long as you still have strength, there is still a chance.’ This endurance comes from regularity and discipline. Besides running, I combine gym, swimming and auxiliary exercises to build fitness day by day.” But the most memorable moment at Y Ty this year did not happen on the award podium. Instead of talking about her leg strength, running rhythm or pacing strategy, a group of online commenters focused on Van Trang’s naturally large chest under her tight sportswear. They used the crude phrase “carrying two grapefruits to run” to mock her. Perhaps they did not expect that a woman who just conquered a mountain would be clear-headed and confident enough to respond directly. “I honestly challenge anyone to carry two grapefruits and run 42km or 55km on mountain trails! I run with my legs, not with my appearance, so why bring me into groups to gossip? Some people see pressure, I see it as extra ‘vitamin C’ for my spirit. What matters is that I still crossed the finish line and stayed happy and healthy. Keep your judgment, I run with my own legs, not with society’s mouth!” she declared. Van Trang’s response quickly received support from the running community. For those who really train, sport is the only place where everything comes down to numbers and effort. Appearance is each person’s own story, but achievement is the result of years of hard work. When a woman is mocked for her body right after she finishes a race, that is not only rude – it reflects the prejudice that female athletes must also meet other people’s aesthetic standards. Van Trang chose not to stay silent. More importantly, she did not choose to change herself to satisfy curious eyes. When asked whether she would wear looser clothes to avoid being stared at, the Y Ty champion firmly said: “Sportswear must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I am afraid of judgment, I will always live under other people’s gaze. I choose to focus on the course and my goal. Marathon teaches me that we cannot always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Compliments make me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and ill-intentioned words I learn to ignore.” Having followed many trail races in Vietnam for years, I realize that women like Van Trang are not rare. They run with their legs, but are often judged through others’ eyes. They have to break records, conquer terrain, overcome pain – and then still face comments that have nothing to do with professionalism. What makes Van Trang special is that she turned those insults into spiritual “vitamin C”. Her story does not stop at the Y Ty finish line. After the glory on Lao Than mountain, the next goal of this mother of four is the tougher Ultra Trail distance – the upcoming VMM 70km, then a 100km race at the end of the year. “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,” she told reporters. In a sport where harsh terrain waits at every step, body shaming is the only thing that cannot slow you down unless you allow it. Van Trang did not allow it. She ran, she finished, and she spoke up. That is the spirit of a true champion.