Van Trang wins Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 42km: “I run with my legs, not with other people's mouths”

Video and photos supplied by subject. On September 6, 2026, at the Y Ty Mua Vang trail race, Van Trang (Jang Doll) finished the 42km distance in 4 hours 26 minutes. The result made the mother of four, born in 2026, the top female runner and put her second overall. Among all finishers, she was beaten by only one male runner and crossed the line ahead of nearly every other man in the race. At the finish area, many called it a surprise; for those who had followed her training, it was the logical result of long-term discipline. The 42km course at Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 runs around the high mountain area of Lao Than, whose peak reaches 2,860m above sea level. With total elevation gain of more than 1,300m, steep terrain and thin highland air, many runners were forced to slow down in the final kilometers. Van Trang chose a race strategy based on split segments, controlled breathing and careful energy intake. Speaking to reporters after the award ceremony, she said: “The 42km course has slopes that nearly drain your energy. At those moments I focused only on the next section, kept my breathing steady, managed my strength and refueled at the right time. I kept telling myself: Stay calm; as long as you still have strength, you still have a chance. This endurance comes from consistency and discipline. Besides running, I do gym work, swimming and supplementary exercises to build fitness day by day.” Shortly after her finish, however, online attention shifted from her athletic result to her appearance. Some running groups shared photos of Van Trang in tight sportswear and focused on her natural bust. One comment mocked her as “carrying two pomelos while running.” The incident quickly triggered a debate between sports fans and online critics. Van Trang did not stay silent. “Honestly, I challenge anyone to carry two pomelos over 42km or 55km of mountain trails. I run with my legs, not with my appearance, so why put me in a group to gossip? Some people see pressure; I see motivation, extra vitamin C for my spirit. The important thing is that I still finished and I feel healthy. Judge all you want. I run with my own legs, not with other people’s mouths,” she said. Her answer spread quickly and turned into a message shared by many runners that day. For Van Trang, the strong response was not only about defending herself but also about changing the way female athletes are viewed. She wants spectators to focus on effort and results first: “In women’s sport, the first thing to acknowledge should be effort and achievement. Appearance is each person’s own story; achievement is the result of years of training. When people watch a woman on the course, I hope they see someone trying to conquer her own limits.” One common question was whether she would change her outfit to avoid unwanted stares. Her reply was direct: “Sports clothing must first be comfortable and safe. If I change myself because I fear judgment, I will end up living according to other people’s eyes. I choose to focus on the course and my goal. Marathon teaches me that you will not always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Praise makes me happy, criticism helps me reflect, and unkind words I learn to ignore.” From a professional standpoint, Van Trang’s result at Y Ty was not luck. A time of 4 hours 26 minutes on a course with more than 1,300m of elevation gain requires a fitness base built over years, not something gained from one or two shorter races. Finishing second overall and ahead of nearly every male runner also shows that her pacing and technical skills rank among an elite group, even compared with men. Her journey did not stop at Lao Than. Van Trang confirmed her next target is the 70km Ultra Trail category at the upcoming Vietnam Mountain Marathon, before moving toward a 100km race at the end of the year. With her current training load and renewed confidence, runners are waiting to see whether she will set another milestone in the women’s field. Van Trang herself is not overcomplicating it. “Let results speak. I do not need to become the version others want to see. Every day, I just try to become a better version of myself,” she said about the road ahead. After everything that happened at Y Ty Mua Vang 2026, her words will likely be repeated in many future discussions about sportsmanship and online behavior.