Mother of four Van Trang wins Y Ty 42km, hits back at body shaming: 'Run with your feet, not with people's mouths'

On September 6, 2026, in the village of Y Ty (Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province), one of the most notable trail running events of the year took place - the Y Ty Mùa Vàng 2026 race. The event attracted more than 1,200 runners from all over the country and internationally, covering distances from 10km to 42km on various trails, with the 42km course being rated as one of the toughest in the northern mountain race system. However, the name that truly stood out was Vân Trang, an amateur female athlete born in 2026, now a mother of four. She finished first in the women's 42km category with an impressive time of 4 hours 26 minutes. Notably, in the overall rankings of the entire race, Vân Trang placed second, behind only the outright male champion Trần Văn Long (3 hours 58 minutes), defeating more than 600 other male runners. A remarkable feat for a woman busy with motherhood. "I still can't believe I achieved such a high position. At the finish line, I cried. Months of dedicated training finally paid off," Vân Trang told reporters after receiving the award. The 42km route starts from Y Ty village center, passes through villages such as Phìn Hồ, Lảo Thẩn, along golden terraced fields during the harvest season. The terrain is mostly mountainous trails with continuous steep ascents and descents, accumulating over 1,300 meters of elevation gain. The average altitude of the course is around 2,000 meters, making the air thin and forcing many runners to slow down or even walk on steep sections. Vân Trang said she had a scientific running plan, dividing the route into 5km segments and not looking too far ahead. "I kept my heart rate in Zone 3, drank water and refueled every 45 minutes. For steep slopes, I power-hiked instead of running to save energy for the flatter sections at the end." She also mentioned that thanks to extensive training on the hills around Hanoi and long weekend runs on Ba Vì Mountain, she was not overwhelmed by the Y Ty terrain. Vân Trang's achievement did not stop at her own medal; it inspired many women. On social media, many called her a "steel woman" and "super mom of four". However, alongside admiration, some internet users left rude comments mocking her appearance, particularly her bust, when she wore tight sportswear. Comments such as "Carrying two grapefruits while running but still fast", "With such big breasts, aren't you afraid of back pain?" spread across running groups. Upon receiving these negative comments, Vân Trang responded with her characteristic sharpness: "I challenge anyone to carry two grapefruits for 42km or 55km of mountain trails! I run with my feet, not with my appearance. People see pressure, but I see motivation to add vitamin C to my spirit." Her response quickly went viral on social media, receiving thousands of likes and comments. Many people defended Vân Trang and criticized those with disrespectful thoughts. Several media and running forums also shared her story, applauding her strong spirit. In a later interview, Vân Trang expressed: "When it comes to women in sports, the first thing to be recognized should be effort and achievement. Appearance is a personal matter, while achievement is the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the running track, I hope people see someone striving to overcome their own limits." Vân Trang started running in 2026, initially just to lose weight after childbirth, but later her passion for the sport grew. She participated in short races, then marathons and trail runs. Besides running, she also does gym, swimming, and supplementary exercises like squats and planks to build strength. She maintains a training schedule of 6 sessions per week, each 60-90 minutes, alternating between long runs, interval training, and strength work. "Being a mother of four has never been a barrier. On the contrary, my children are my motivation to live healthily and inspire them. I want my children to see that their mother is not only a family woman but also a strong woman, daring to conquer challenges," Vân Trang said. Regarding sports attire, Vân Trang insists she never sacrifices comfort to please others. "Sports attire must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I fear judgment, then I will always live according to others' eyes. I choose to focus on the road and my goals. Life is like a marathon: you don't always run in perfect conditions. Sometimes it rains, the road gets slippery, but if you fall at the first stumble, you will never reach the finish line." A member of the Y Ty organizing committee, Mr. Hoang Anh, stated: "We highly appreciate Vân Trang's spirit and performance. She is one of the best female athletes ever in this race. Her surpassing many male runners shows that sports are not about gender, only about effort." Vân Trang has no intention of stopping. She will conquer the 70km distance at the Vietnam Trail Marathon (VMM) in Moc Chau in October, and further, the 100km ultra-marathon at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM) in Sa Pa in November this year. "I know 70km or 100km is a big leap, but I believe with a proper training plan, I can overcome it. Eight years ago, I never thought I could run 42km, so why not attempt 100km? I want to prove that women, especially mothers, have no impossible limits," Vân Trang smiled. Vân Trang's story is a reminder that women in sports still face many stereotypes and scrutiny about their bodies. From female swimmers to female footballers criticized for their looks, all deserve respect for their talent and dedication. Hopefully, in the future, the community will be more civilized, focusing on celebrating the true values of sports. Let us look at Vân Trang's legs, the legs that ran 42km of mountain trails and brought her to second place overall, and let compliments replace meaningless criticism. As for Vân Trang herself, she simply advises: "I don't need to become the version that others want to see. Just becoming a better version of myself each day is enough." That is a life philosophy worth pondering.