Johaug clocked a time of 13min 49.1sec to finish 18.6 seconds ahead of Heidi Weng and 29.2 of Ingvild Flugstad Østberg.

Only two skiers have picked up more World Cup wins than Johaug in a single campaign.

Norway’s Bente Skari won 14 in 2002-2003 and Marit Bjørgen accumulating 15 last season and 17 in 2011-2012.

"I knew before we started today it would be really hard," said Johaug.

"It's only five kiloemtres and you have to work hard the whole way.

"I am really happy to win, as it's not my favourite distance so that makes it even better."

Johaug has moved onto 1,744 points in the overall World Cup standings, putting her 132 ahead of second-placed Østberg and 443 clear of third-placed Weng.

In the men’s 10km classic event, Maxim Vylegzhanin headed a Russian one-two finish to ensure the eighth World Cup victory of his career and fifth individual triumph.

Vylegzhanin, third at last weekend’s 50km event in Holmenkollen, registered a time of 25:14.6 to finish 3.5 seconds ahead of team-mate Alexander Bessmertnykh.

A further 0.1 seconds behind was France’s Maurice Manificat, who secured his first-ever individual classic podium, taking third. 

"I am always happy for a win and it is even better to have two Russian's on the podium with the victory," said Vylegzhanin.

"It was a slow start to the season for me but I am getting better the past couple of weeks.

"The Tour de Ski didn't go as I would have liked but there is still the Ski Tour Canada."

Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby comfortably remains the overall World Cup leader on 1,732 points, despite coming fifth in Falun.

A massive 715 points separate him and fellow Norwegian Finn Haagen Krogh, 32nd in Falun.

A further 12 off the pace is another Norwegian, Petter Northug, who did not compete today.