How will Kerryn McCann be remembered?

Dual Commonwealth Games gold medalist, marathon runner Kerryn McCann, has died after losing her battle with cancer.

The 41-year-old, who won the hearts of a nation through her courage, passed away early this morning, leaving behind her husband, Greg, and three children, Josie, 4, Benton, 10 and Cooper, 1.

The champion athlete successfully fought her first health battle in 2007, after surgeons removed a 2.5cm tumour from her breast.

At the time, she was pregnant and decided to delay her 18-week course of chemotherapy until after her son was born.

"The surgeon was confident he got it all and he was right. It's fantastic news," McCann told New Idea in October 2007.

However, in September of this year, her husband said his wife was undergoing a "few problems".

It was understood she was stricken by a secondary cancer in her liver.

A spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer Network said the ultimate cause of death was determined as breast cancer after secondary cancers developed.

McCann's family has asked for privacy and requested that flowers not be sent.

Instead, they welcome donations to the Breast Cancer Network Australia or the McGrath Foundation, which was established in memory of Jane McGrath, late wife of cricket legend Glenn McGrath.

McCann often spoke of Jane McGrath and the strength she drew from her.

McCann's most recent success on the athletics track was winning gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

To the joy of the millions of Australians who watched the race, she defended her Commonwealth title by beating her Kenyan opponent by just two seconds after in an exhausting sprint to the finish.

Details of McCann's funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

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