Sumgong goes down in Kenya's history books as a fighter who ended country's heartache in women Olympic Marathon

Jemima Sumgong (KEN) of Kenya poses with her gold medal REUTERS

Her journey to the medal podium bears all the hallmarks of mankind's toughest race at Olympics- Marathon. First, NOCK's chaotic travel plans saw her left behind in Eldoret as Team Kenya departed Eldoret International Airport for Nairobi en route to Rio de Janeiro, a week ago.

Jemima Sumgong (KEN) of Kenya celebrates after winning the race REUTERS

Yet after 2:24.04 of pounding Rio de Janeiro tarmac under sweltering heat and humidity, Jemimah Sumgong ended Kenya's 60-year wait for a women gold medal at the Olympics.

Gold medallist Jemima Sumgong (KEN) of Kenya reacts. REUTERS

The Kenya Defence Forces soldier may have summoned the KDF maxim 'soldiers never say die' to deliver Kenya's first Olympic marathon gold since 1956 when Kenya made an Olympic debut.

Sumgong's husband was over the moon as he witnessed his loving wife turned on the afterburners to win Kenya's first ever Olympic gold medal in women marathon.

"I thank God for the victory. This is what God has decided to give my family and the entire nation in a historic way. Jemimah was left in Eldoret and I was forced to console her and drove her to Nairobi, where she was top catch a flight to Luanda (Angola) then Rio for the games. I am happy my commitment did not go to waste," said Noah Kipsang Talam, Sumgong's husband.

Gold medallist Jemima Sumgong (KEN) of Kenya waves. REUTERS

And true to her dream to prove critics wrong, Sumgong displayed mental fortitude to see off strong challenge from eternal rivals from Ethiopia and another Kenyan export to Bahrain Eunice Kirwa.

After Hellah Kiprop and Visiline Jepkesho faded into oblivion, it was down to Sumgong to defend Kenya's flag, a feat she took in her stride with aplomb.

The mother of five-year-old Shalikill Jemutai ate ground and rarely looked back perhaps informed by the wait of expectation dating back to 60 years ago.

Like many other Kenyan women athletes, Sumgong mixes athletics and household chores. But this has never deterred her from pursuing her dream.

Winning the London Marathon win last April and runner-up spots in Boston, New York and Chicago Marathons previously must have prepared her for the Olympic battle she successfully prosecuted on Sunday in the Samba nation.

Born in December 21, 1984 and a third born and only daughter in a family of four, her family has no history of producing top athletes except for Hillary Tarus, a police officer, as the only sibling athlete,

Sumgong will go down in Kenya's history books as a fighter who ended the country's heartache in Olympic Marathon.