Van Trang – the answer on Lao Than peak: "Run with your legs, not with the world's mouth"

On the way up Lao Than, no grandstand counted Van Trang's breaths. There were slopes that almost drained her body, and steps that seemed impossible to lift. She could only keep her rhythm, break the distance into smaller pieces, and remind herself: as long as there is strength, there is still a chance. When she crossed the finish line in 4 hours 26 minutes at the 2026 Y Ty Golden Season trail race, Van Trang finished first among women in the 42km category. She also placed second overall, behind only one male runner. But the most memorable moment did not come from the result board. It came from the way she faced online comments about her body after leaving Lao Than peak. The 42km course at Y Ty has more than 1,300 meters of cumulative elevation gain, testing the legs and lungs in ways that cannot be faked. Van Trang, a mother of four, said she avoided thinking about the entire 42km at once. She focused on the path directly in front of her, controlled her breathing, managed her energy, and took fuel at the right time. Her endurance came from daily discipline: running, gym work, swimming, and supporting exercises that built strength over time. The real issue, however, was not her fitness but the way some people looked at her. Instead of discussing her result, a number of online commenters focused on her chest under her tight sports outfit. Some used crude words, comparing her body to burdens she was carrying. They ignored the years of training behind her finish time. Van Trang refused to stay silent. She answered directly: she challenged anyone to carry such a heavy body shape through 42km or 55km of mountain trails. She said she runs with her legs, not with her looks, and she will not let other people's gossip change that. She also made a wider point about women in sport: their effort and results should be seen first. A woman's body is not an object for public judgment. Sportswear must be comfortable and safe, and changing her clothing just to avoid stares would mean letting rude people control her life. Van Trang listens to useful feedback, ignores comments made without good intent, and keeps moving forward. The Y Ty victory is behind her now. Her next goal is the VMM 70km race, and later in the year the 100km distance. She does not need to be the version others want to see. She only wants to become a better version of herself every day. On the mountain trails of Lao Cai, she crossed the line before some people stopped talking. Records may fade into numbers, but the way she defended her dignity while exhausting every ounce of strength is something the standings will never fully show.