Mother of Four Vân Trang wins women’s 42km title at Y Tý Mùa Vàng: 'I run with my legs, not with the mouths of others'

On September 6, 2026, at the Y Tý Mùa Vàng trail race in Lào Cai Province, Vietnamese trail runner Vân Trang - known as Jang Doll and mother of four - crossed the finish line of the 42km distance in 4 hours 26 minutes. She won the women’s division and finished second overall, ahead of almost all male runners, with only one man finishing before her. The 42km route at Y Tý is considered demanding. Runners had to face more than 1,300m of cumulative elevation gain around Lảo Thẩn Peak, which is 2,860m above sea level. Steep slopes, rocky terrain and thin mountain air tested both physical stamina and pace management. After the race, Vân Trang told reporters: “The 42km distance had steep sections that nearly drained my energy. At those moments, I only focused on the road ahead, kept my breathing steady, distributed my strength and refuelled at the right time. I kept telling myself: ‘Stay calm, as long as you still have energy, you still have a chance.’” For Vân Trang, endurance is not a matter of luck but a result of disciplined training. In addition to running, she does gym sessions, swimming and supplementary exercises to build strength day by day. The fact that she balances training while raising four children made her achievement even more respected by the running community. However, Vân Trang’s story did not end with the medal. Shortly after the award ceremony, photos of her in tight sportswear were shared in some online running groups. Instead of discussing her 42km performance, crude comments focused on her chest, with some people using the phrase “carrying two pomelos while running” to mock her. Instead of staying silent, Vân Trang responded sharply. She wrote: “I dare anyone to carry two pomelos and run 42km or 55km on mountain roads! I run with my legs, not with my appearance, so why put me in a group and talk behind my back? People see pressure, but I see motivation and extra vitamin C for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finished, still healthy and happy. Keep judging if you want. I run with my own legs, not with the mouths of others.” The Hanoi-born runner also sent a message about how women in sport should be viewed: “For women who play sports, what deserves recognition first is their effort and achievements. Appearance is each person’s own story, while achievement is the result of years of training. When you see a girl on the running route, I hope people see someone trying to conquer her own limits.” Asked whether she would change her outfit to avoid unwanted attention, Vân Trang was firm: “Sports clothes must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself just because I am afraid of gossip, I will always live under other people’s eyes. I choose to focus on the race and my goals. Marathon teaches me that we cannot always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and ill-intentioned words I learn to ignore.” After the victory at Y Tý, Vân Trang plans to compete in the VMM 70km race and the 100km distance in late 2026. She ended the conversation with a message: “Let achievements speak. I do not need to become the version others want to see. Every day, I just need to become a better version of myself.” With her sharp response and convincing performance, Vân Trang not only proved the ability of a female runner on a brutal course but also reminded everyone that a woman’s value in sport should be measured by effort, discipline and ambition, not by appearance.