Using a solo breakaway early on the bike in the race in South Korea, she held her lead right through to the finish to win her first-ever career World Cup title more than 90 seconds ahead of Germany's Anja Dittmer of Germany and Spain's Ainhoa Murua.   

"It's amazing," said Swallow at the finish area.

"I wasn't really expecting it."

Swallow, a 29-year-old from Loughborough, broke away on the opening lap of the cycling and opened up a lead of almost 90 seconds.

That stretched to more than two minutes on the end and, despite a strong finish, the chasing pack were unable to close it significantly.

The men's race was won by Australian Dan Wilson, who also claimed his first career World Cup victory. 

A pair of former junior world champions from France won silver and bronze. 

Aurelien Raphael was second and Vincent Luis won a four-way sprint to take the bronze.

"It feels really good," said Wilson.

"I'm happy with the race. 

"It was a tough race out there and didn't go smoothly from the start."

Picture: Jero Honda/triathlon.org