Mother of four wins Y Ty 42km, fires back at body shamers: 'I run with my legs, not with gossips'

Amidst judgmental stares and online criticism, Van Trang (born 2026, nicknamed Jang Doll) calmly conquered the course and won the women's 42km title at the 2026 Y Ty Golden Season race. Notably, she also finished second overall, behind only one male runner, with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes. This is an extraordinary achievement for a mother of four, and a strong affirmation of her indomitable athletic spirit. The Y Ty Golden Season race takes place in Lao Cai, where the 42km route has over 1,300 meters of elevation gain. The steep terrain and thin highland air are a formidable challenge for any runner. Van Trang shared that she overcame the brutal climbs by focusing on each step, maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, and managing her energy wisely. "I always told myself: 'Stay calm, as long as you have strength, you still have a chance.' This endurance comes from consistency and discipline. Besides running, I combine gym, swimming, and supplementary exercises to build fitness every day." However, her impressive achievement was soon overshadowed when some netizens posted her photos in running groups with inappropriate comments focused on her natural bust. They used vulgar phrases like 'carrying two grapefruits while running' to mock her appearance. Instead of staying silent, the female runner responded directly with great wit and personality: "I honestly challenge anyone to carry two grapefruits and run 42km or 55km on mountain trails! I run with my legs, not with my looks. People see pressure, I see it as motivation to 'supply vitamin C' for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finished, still happy and healthy. So judge as you like, I run with my own legs, not with gossips!" This Hanoi-based runner also expressed her desire for the crowd to have a more civilized view of women in sports. "Women who play sports deserve to be recognized first for their effort and achievements. Appearance is everyone's personal story, achievements are the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the track, I hope you see someone striving to overcome her own limits." When asked whether she would choose more conservative clothing to avoid stares, the Y Ty champion was resolute: "Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I fear judgment, I would always live by others' eyes. I choose to focus on the track and my goals." She emphasized that marathon taught her to accept imperfect conditions, and life is the same. "Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and ill-intentioned remarks I learn to ignore." With the glory at Y Ty behind her, Van Trang now targets the grueling Ultra Trail at the upcoming VMM 70km, and eventually the 100km race at the end of the year. She concluded with an inspiring message: "Let achievements speak. I don't need to become the version others want to see. Just each day become a better version of myself." Van Trang's story is not only one of athletic triumph, but also proof of the resilient spirit of modern women. She refuses to let negativity diminish her self-worth, and she has proven that on the track, only effort and perseverance truly matter. With her impressive achievements and positive attitude, Van Trang deserves to be a role model for the running community and anyone pursuing their passion.