Groin pain from running: causes and what to do

Running repeatedly loads the adductors, hip flexors, abdominal wall, and hip joint. Increasing mileage, speed, hills, or interval work without enough adaptation can irritate these tissues. Hip impingement may cause deep groin pain during hip flexion, while a hip labral tear may cause catching or clicking. Hip osteoarthritis can make running stiff or painful and may reduce tolerance for impact. The running connection helps guide assessment but does not identify the diagnosis by itself.

Pause sprints, hills, and long runs while they provoke symptoms. Substitute comfortable low-impact movement if it does not increase pain. Once daily walking and basic strength work are comfortable, restart with an easy, shorter run on a level surface; leave recovery between sessions and change one training factor at a time. Stop if pain becomes sharp, alters your stride, or is worse later that day or the next morning. Sports Physiotherapy can assess running mechanics, hip mobility, adductor capacity, and a staged return plan.

Seek prompt care after a fall or sudden force with a pop, bruising, inability to bear weight, or substantial weakness. Urgent assessment is needed for severe pain with fever or feeling unwell, a painful groin bulge, new numbness, or a cold or pale leg. Arrange an appointment if pain keeps returning, limits walking, changes your stride, or does not improve after reducing running load.

Ask: Which running loads should I remove first? Does the examination suggest an adductor, hip, or abdominal-wall problem? What strength and movement goals should I reach before running? How can I increase distance and speed safely?