Van Trang: 'Run with my feet, not with people's mouths' after record-breaking double at Y Ty Mua Vang 2026

At the finish line of the 42km distance of the Y Ty Mua Vang 2026 trail running race in Lao Cai, Van Trang – a female runner born in 2026 nicknamed Jang Doll – crossed first among women with a time of 4 hours 26 minutes. She also finished second overall, ahead of almost every male runner. It was a remarkable achievement on one of the toughest mountain courses in northern Vietnam. After the medal ceremony, however, her image was shared in running groups for the wrong reasons. Instead of discussing her performance, some users focused on her naturally large chest under tight sportswear and used vulgar phrases to mock her. Van Trang refused to stay silent. She replied: “I challenge anyone to run 42km or 55km of mountain trails while carrying two grapefruits! I run with my feet, not with my appearance.” Her statement quickly went viral, sparking both criticism of body shaming and admiration for her courage. To achieve such a result, Van Trang followed a demanding training plan. She combined running with gym workouts, swimming, and supplementary strength exercises. She explained that on steep climbs she concentrated on each section, controlled her breathing, managed her energy, and reminded herself: “Stay calm; as long as you have energy, there is still a chance.” The Y Ty course exceeds 2,860 meters above sea level at the top of Lao Than mountain and has more than 1,300 meters of accumulated elevation gain. At high altitude, thin air makes every step harder. Van Trang proved that a female runner with a strong mind could outlast many male competitors. She insisted that sportswear must be comfortable and safe, and refused to change her style just to satisfy others. Her message is clear: “Run with your feet, not with people's mouths.” She plans to compete in the VMM 70km ultra trail race and eventually a 100km race by the end of the year. For her, the real victory is becoming a better version of herself every day.