The 33-year-old Norwegian, who announced yesterday that today’s women’s 30 kilometres classic mass start event would be her last, claimed the title in a time of 1hr 19min 22.8sec.

Spectators were present for the first time in two years at the prestigious race to watch Johaug wave the Norwegian flag as she secured her 81st and final World Cup win of her career.

"It is such an emotional moment for me," said Johaug.

"In 2011, I won by first individual gold here at Holmenkollen and it just felt right to end my career here as well.

"It’s great to have so many people out on the course cheering for me and also here in the stadium.

"But it’s sad at the same time.

"Skiing has been the centre of my life for so long and now it’s time for new things."

Johaug claimed 4x5km relay gold at Vancouver 2010 before earning 30km mass start silver and 10km individual bronze at Sochi 2014.

She missed Pyeongchang 2018 after being banned for 18 months in 2016 for testing positive for anabolic steroid clostebol.

Following her return to competitive action, Johaug increased her world gold medal tally to 14, secured her third overall World Cup title in 2020 and captured a hat-trick of golds at this year's Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Johaug topped the podium in 10km individual, 15km skiathlon and 30km mass start in the Chinese capital last month.

She retires with two races to go, which are scheduled to be held in Falun in Sweden, after the FIS cancelled the events planned to take place in Russian city Tyumen due to the invasion of Ukraine.

While Johaug celebrated the title in Oslo, Krista Pärmäkoski of Finland and Jonna Sundling of Sweden sealed places on the podium.

Pärmäkoski secured silver in 1:19:42.2 - 19.4 behind Johaug, while Sundling bagged bronze in 1:19:55.1.