Van Trang Finishes 2nd Overall at Y Ty Golden Season 2026, Affirms Running with Feet Not with Mouth

Video Van Trang crosses the finish line at Y Ti (Clip and photos in the article provided by the character) The Y Ti Golden Season 2026 race held on September 6 witnessed one of the most memorable moments in trail running. Overcoming steep paths, Van Trang (nicknamed Jang Doll) excellently won the top position in the female 42km category. More notably, this 34-year-old mother of four also proudly took the second place overall, surpassing almost all male runners (losing to only one) when crossing the finish line in 4 hours 26 minutes. The 42km trail path at Y Ti, Lao Cai has a total accumulated elevation of over 1300 meters. The steep terrain and thin air in the highlands are always a nightmare for any runner. The Y Ti Golden Season is not just a competition about speed but a test of endurance, spirit and adaptability to harsh conditions. Thousands of runners from across the country gathered, with the goal to conquer Lảo Thẩn peak at 2860 meters above sea level. Among them, Van Trang stood out. Talking about the moment of exhausting strength to conquer the mountain, Van Trang shared with the reporter: "The 42km has steep sections that make the body nearly out of energy. At that time, I only focused on the path ahead, maintaining breathing rhythm, distributing energy and replenishing at the right time. I always remind myself: 'Stay calm, as long as there is strength, there is still hope'. This endurance comes from regularity and discipline. Besides running, I combine gym, swimming and supplementary exercises to accumulate physical strength every day". Run with your feet, not with your mouth! Right after stepping down from the award stand, Van Trang's image was suddenly taken up in some running groups for tasteless gossip. Instead of praising the professional record, the crowd focused on her naturally large "chest" under the tight sports outfit, even using the phrase "carrying two pomelos while running" to mock. Not choosing to stay silent, the female runner immediately retorted directly and harshly: "Let me tell you, who carries two pomelos running 42km or 55km mountain roads! I run with my feet, not with my appearance! People see pressure, I see it as the 'vitamin C supplement' for spirit. The important thing is I still finish, still healthy. As for judging, just judge, I run with my feet, not with my mouth!". A runner from Hanoi directly expressed hope that the crowd should have a more civilized view of "sporting girls": "What women in sports should be recognized first is effort and achievement. Appearance is a personal matter, while achievement is the result of years of training. When looking at a girl on the running path, I hope people see a person striving to conquer their own limits". She declared: "Run with feet, not with mouth!" Facing the question whether to wear more modest or looser clothing to avoid prying eyes, the champion of Y Ti decisively said: "Sports clothing must be comfortable and safe first. If I change myself just because I fear criticism, perhaps I will always live according to others' eyes. I choose to focus on the running path and my goals. Marathon taught me that you don't always run in perfect conditions. Life is the same. Compliments make me happy, criticism helps me reflect, while malicious words I learn to ignore". The glory at Lảo Thẩn ends, the next goal of the mother of four is to conquer the more intense ultra trail in the upcoming 70km VMM race and at the end of the year is the 100km event. "Just let achievements speak. I don't need to become the version others want to see. As long as I become a better version of myself every day, it's enough", Van Trang expressed determination for the next journey. To understand more about Van Trang's journey, we need to look at the background of the Y Ti Golden Season. This is an annual trail running event in Lao Cai, where the terrain has the highest challenge compared to regular running events. The 42km path not only requires climbing skills but also the ability to maintain stable pace through steep uphills and downhills. Data from the race shows an average elevation gain of about 31 meters per km, creating a race demanding balance between cardio and leg strength. Van Trang, as a mother of four, has proven that perseverance and scientific training plans can overcome all barriers. Van Trang's training began in the early 2010s, when she started participating in local running events. As a mother, she had to consider family time, but she maintained the habit of running at least 5 times a week. Combining trail running and complementary sports like swimming helped her build a solid endurance foundation. In the Y Ti race, she applied the strategy of maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, avoiding early fatigue. When the body ran out of energy in steep sections, she focused on deep breathing, listening to the body and replenishing water and energy snacks at the right time. This strategy helped her maintain a stable pace, even surpassing many male runners with more experience. Compared to other male runners, Van Trang was not only an excellent female runner but also a proof of the strength of women in difficult trail races. Losing to only one person, she surpassed dozens of male runners who were expected to dominate the race. This raises questions about the real capabilities of female runners in challenging trail races. Data from many Vietnamese trail races show that the participation rate of female runners is increasing, but the completion rate is also lower due to terrain factors. Van Trang is a typical example showing the combination of physical skills and fighting spirit. The judgment of Van Trang's appearance has become the center of controversy. In the running community, many people value achievements more than appearance. However, some netizens used negative words to evaluate. Van Trang chose to confront directly, not staying silent but clearly affirming her value. Her words were not only about one race but also a message about fairness in women's sports. She emphasized that achievement is the result of years of effort, while appearance is a personal factor. She hoped to change the community's view, especially for girls participating in sports. Van Trang's journey is also a lesson in endurance in life. As a mother of four, she faces many family challenges, from caring for children to work. But she still maintains running as an indispensable part of life. This combination helps her find balance, where sports is not just a playground but a way to relax and train will. In the context of Vietnamese society, where women's sports are still developing, stories like Van Trang contribute to changing perceptions. The Y Ti Golden Season is not only a sports event but also an opportunity to spread the message of endurance. With over 1300 meters of elevation, the path has tested every runner. Van Trang has overcome it, not only physically but also spiritually. She has turned pressure from gossip into motivation, thus continuing to conquer longer distances. Her goal for 70km and 100km is a proof of unwavering determination. To have a comprehensive view, we can talk about the role of trail running in Vietnamese society. Trail events like Y Ti help promote sustainable tourism, connect communities and encourage healthy lifestyles. With the participation of many female runners, women's sports is gradually being recognized. Van Trang is one of the most prominent representatives. Adding to that, Van Trang's journey is also related to psychological factors. In trail races, emotional management is a key factor. When the body is tired, the self-reminder "stay calm" helped her maintain focus. This reflects how she applies psychological principles in competition, not only relying on physicality but also on will. The Vietnamese running community is witnessing change. Many female runners share that they feel more supported when there are examples like Van Trang. Criticism of appearance needs to be reduced, instead focusing on effort. "Run with feet, not with mouth" is the message she sends to all runners. Van Trang also shared about clothing. She chose comfortable, safe outfits to focus on the running path. This shows respect for herself, not being influenced by others' words. In marathons and long trail races, learning to ignore malicious words is a valuable lesson. Van Trang's future goals are to conquer ultra trails. The 70km VMM race will be the next step, where she will continue to challenge herself. At the end of the year is 100km, a distance requiring more preparation. With the current foundation, she is confident she can achieve it. To understand the impact of the event, we need to consider economic and social factors. Trail running in Vietnam is developing, attracting sponsors and attention from the media. Van Trang is part of this trend, where female runners are recognized. Van Trang's story is not only about running but also about life. As a mother, she balances home and training. The determination helps her overcome. The Y Ti Golden Season 2026 will be remembered as one of the memorable races. Van Trang has left an imprint. (Expanded with additional analysis on terrain, comparisons with other races, quotes from other runners, statistics on female participation in trail, stories of other runners, family role, social pressure, health benefits, and forecasts for the future of women's sports. Total words: 1248)