According to Tra Giang, the 50km run at Yen Tu two weeks prior to the VMM served as excellent skills practice, as she had limited hill training. This run, with its numerous steps and rocky slopes, revealed a weakness in her hamstrings, causing pain when bending her knees, especially downhill.

Chinese athlete Xie Wenfei dominated the women's 100km VMM, finishing first in 17 hours, 24 minutes, and 33 seconds. Xie is considered one of Asia's top female ultra-marathon runners.

But a surprise unfolded when Tra Giang, a recreational runner from Ha Tinh competing in her first 100km race, came in second. On the morning of 21/9, after 18 hours, 7 minutes, and 58 seconds, the 1.5m, 42kg runner crossed the finish line carrying the Vietnamese flag. She flashed her familiar bright smile, then burst into tears in the arms of an organizer.

"Initially, I just aimed to conserve energy and keep pace with the elite runners. So, I was truly surprised to finish second," Tra Giang told VnExpress on 22/9.

During the first 20 km, the Ha Tinh native overtook some elite runners but was later passed by them. At the 20km mark, she encountered a French competitor, ran alongside her during a climb, and then surpassed her.

"It wasn't until the Topas station at kilometer 26 that I realized I was in second place. From then on, I strived to maintain my speed and ranking. I am incredibly lucky and happy with this result," Tra Giang added.

VMM 2025 marked Tra Giang's first attempt at the 100km trail distance. She prepared meticulously with a three-month training cycle, including two practice runs at Ham Lon Mountain in Soc Son, Hanoi. The 1992-born runner also completed a 70km trial run in 30 hours at Ham Lon and a 50km run in 11 hours and 30 minutes at the Yen Tu Ultra Trail in Quang Ninh.

Between trail training sessions, she participated in road marathons to maintain her weekly mileage and endurance.

In the two weeks following Yen Tu, Tra Giang primarily trained on flat terrain, increasing her mileage with aerobic runs.

"This training in the two weeks before VMM helped me maintain my mileage without overtraining, while ensuring sufficient intensity for recovery after the Yen Tu race," she explained. She also developed a detailed race plan for VMM, pacing herself for each terrain type and maximizing her advantage on flat sections.

During the 100km VMM race, Giang faced difficulties descending stairs, aggravating a previous injury in her left knee. "That was the most challenging and painful experience of the race," she recounted.

Despite this, the petite pharmacist never considered DNF (Did Not Finish). "I only wavered once, just before dawn, when I felt dizzy after a long night of depleted energy. I asked myself, 'Where am I?' But after a few minutes, the dizziness subsided, and I regained focus, concentrating on the next stage."

Finishing second in the women's 100km VMM in her debut at this distance was, according to Tra Giang, a miracle and an unforgettable experience.

"This race was a memorable experience, running through the night, challenging myself physically and mentally, and facing nutritional challenges. But I met supportive and encouraging fellow runners who helped me stay determined to achieve my goal," she said.

Born in 1995 in Ha Tinh, Tra Giang stands at 1.5m tall and weighs 42kg. She discovered running serendipitously through an Uprace challenge, starting with walking and running alone.

This small but determined woman possesses extraordinary resilience and an intelligent, creative approach to training. She designs and adjusts her own weekly training plans, utilizing races as tempo and interval workouts to optimize her time and maintain peak performance.

Every day, alongside her 8-hour workday as a pharmacist, Tra Giang dedicates an hour to running, a consistent routine for the past four years. She believes her pharmaceutical background helps her monitor her body's responses and prioritize post-race recovery.

"Now, I can run anywhere, anytime, with just a pair of shoes. The best feeling is talking to myself and being away from my phone and computer," she shared.

As runner-up in the women's 100km VMM 2025, Tra Giang received a complimentary bib for the same race in 2026. However, she expressed reservations about returning to the 100km distance in Sapa next year.

"I find it difficult to improve my trail running performance because time constraints prevent me from training enough for long distances like 100km. Distances of 50km or less seem more manageable, as they require less climbing while still being achievable with my current fitness level. Moreover, I remain passionate about road marathons," she explained.

Duc Dong

Photos: VMM, VnExpress Marathon, Yen Tu Ultra Trail, Personal Collection