A Mother of Four Wins 42km at Y Ty: 'I Run With My Legs, Not With Gossip'

On September 6, at the Y Ty Golden Season 2026 race in Lao Cai province, Vân Trang — known by her running nickname Jang Doll — crossed the finish line of the 42km course in 4 hours 26 minutes. She finished first among women and second overall, ahead of nearly all male runners, with only one man remaining in front of her. It was a remarkable achievement for a mother of four who trains quietly between family duties, gym sessions, swimming and daily runs. The 42km route climbs more than 1,300 vertical meters to the top of Mount Lảo Thẩn at 2,860m above sea level. Trang explained that her strategy was simple: break the route into small sections, breathe steadily, eat when needed, and always remind herself, "Stay calm; as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance." But the lasting moment of her victory came after the medal ceremony. Instead of celebrating her performance, a group of internet users focused on the shape of her chest, mocking her athletic appearance with degrading comments. The phrase "carrying two pomelos while running" went viral in some running forums. Vân Trang replied sharply on social media: "I dare anyone to carry two pomelos for 42km or 55km in the mountains! I run with my legs, not with my appearance. When people see pressure, I see vitamin C for the spirit. People can judge as much as they want — I run with my legs, not with gossip." She also urged the running community to look at women athletes with more respect. "For women in sports, effort and achievement should be seen first. Appearance is a private matter; results are built through years of hard work. When you see a girl on the track, see a person trying to overcome her own limits." When critics suggested she wear looser clothing to avoid attention, she refused. "Sports clothes must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just to avoid judgment, I will end up living for the eyes of others." Her defiance highlights an enduring problem: female athletes are often judged by their bodies rather than their skills. Vân Trang's response is part of a broader shift among Vietnamese women runners, who no longer accept body-shaming as the price of participation. Looking ahead, Trang is preparing for the VMM 70km ultra trail and eventually a 100km race. Her journey proves that a woman does not need to fit someone else's image to be a champion. She is becoming her own benchmark, and that may be the most powerful finish line of all.