'I run with my legs, not with people's mouths': Mother of four Van Trang wins Y Ty 42km women's race

At around 4:30 a.m. on September 6, 2026, at the Y Ty Golden Season race, Van Trang crossed the finish line amid cheers from organizers. She bent over, placed her hands on her knees for a long breath, then looked up at her watch: 4 hours 26 minutes. The mother of four from Hanoi had just completed a 42km course with more than 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation, taking first place among women and finishing second overall — behind only one male runner. The Y Ty course, located in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, is known for its terraced rice fields and Mount Lao Than, which rises 2,860 meters above sea level. This year's 42km distance winds through steep climbs, rocky terrain and red-dirt trails. With more than 1,300 meters of positive elevation gain, it is a genuine challenge for any trail runner, even well-experienced marathoners. Speaking to reporters after the finish, Van Trang admitted she had to battle her own body around kilometer 30: "The 42km distance has slopes that almost drain your energy. At that moment, I only focused on the next section of road, kept my breathing steady, managed my effort and fueled at the right time. I kept telling myself: 'Stay calm, as long as you have energy, you still have a chance.' This endurance comes from consistency and discipline. In addition to running, I do gym, swimming and supplementary exercises to build strength every day." What makes Van Trang's achievement a notable sports story — not only for the running community but also for professionals — is her overall classification. Usually, in a long trail race, the overall lead group is almost entirely dominated by men. Van Trang broke that pattern by finishing second overall, passing nearly all male runners in the 42km category. The gap between her and the overall winner was recorded in minutes. For a female runner who also has to balance caring for four young children and daily work, this result shows serious investment in foundational training, nutrition and racing strategy. However, as soon as photos of her leaving the podium spread on social media, a wave of conversation shifted course. A segment of netizens focused on comments about Van Trang's naturally large bust under her tight athletic wear, even using the phrase "carrying two grapefruits while running" as mockery. Instead of seeing the effort required to conquer 42km of mountain trails, they chose to scrutinize the body of a woman doing her job. Body shaming in women's sport is nothing new, but its appearance right after a professional achievement like Van Trang's shows how appearance-based prejudice still weighs on female athletes. In many disciplines — from running and tennis to football — women often face double pressure: they must be fast, strong and durable, yet they must also look "modest" or "pleasing" in public. This obscures athletic performance behind aesthetic standards that have nothing to do with sport. Rather than staying silent, Van Trang delivered a direct response: "Honestly, I dare anyone to carry two grapefruits over 42km or 55km of mountain trails! I run with my legs — I don't run because of my appearance, so why do you put me in groups to gossip? People see pressure; I see motivation, like a vitamin C boost for my spirit. What matters is that I finished, and I'm happy and healthy. So judge all you want. I run with my own legs, not with people's mouths." Her answer was quickly shared across running groups and drew an overwhelming wave of support. Many runners said her immediate refusal to accept body shaming was the necessary message to stop judging women's bodies in sport. Van Trang also hopes the community will view female athletes in a more civilized way: "When people see a woman in sport, the first thing they should acknowledge is her effort and achievements. Appearance is each person's own business, but achievements are the result of years of training. When you look at a girl on a racecourse, I want you to see someone striving to push her own limits." Asked whether she would choose looser or more modest clothing to avoid prying eyes, the Y Ty champion answered firmly: "Sports clothing first has to be comfortable and safe. If I changed myself just because I was afraid of comments, I would spend my whole life living under other people's gaze. I choose to focus on the road and my goals. Marathon teaches you that you won't always run under perfect conditions. Life is the same. Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and malicious words are something I learn to ignore." Looking at the whole situation, Van Trang's 4-hour-26-minute result at Y Ty Golden Season 2026 is more than a personal milestone. It raises a bigger question about how society views a female athlete: will people remember her because of her runner-up overall finish, or because of comments about her breasts? In a sporting environment increasingly committed to equality, seeing women through their ability, fighting spirit and endurance is the least the audience can do. For Van Trang, the glory at Lao Than is just the first step on a long road ahead. She has set her sights on the tougher Ultra Trail race at VMM 70km, and later this year, the 100km distance. The mother of four shared: "Let your achievements 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." As long as those whispers persist, Van Trang is proving her point in the clearest way possible: she does not run with people's mouths. She runs with her own legs, and her results are loud enough to force every curious stare back to the trail instead of trivial sideshows.