RAG MusicAthletics
Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[March, Foot Races, Dance] Energetic songs and the latest hits to liven up a sports day

When it comes to sports day music, many people might think of classical pieces like ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ (Infernal Galop from ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’).

However, in recent years, more schools have been using pop songs and anime tracks as background music in addition to the classic staples, making the selection more diverse.

In this article, we’ll introduce lively songs that perfectly match the sports day atmosphere—not only long-standing classics but also popular J-POP tunes among elementary and middle school students.

Use this as a reference for your playlist!

[Marching, Racing, and Dancing] Energetic Songs and the Newest Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day (1–10)

Tontsukatan-tanNEW!Kureijī Wowuwo!!

Crazy Wow Wow!! "Tontsu Katan Tan" music video
Tontsukatan-tanNEW!Kureijī Wowuwo!!

A high-energy pop-rock number from Crazy WowWow!! packed with playful onomatopoeia and shout-alongs.

Released for streaming in October 2025, this track is one of the key early singles that rapidly boosted the band’s profile.

While there were no official tie-ins with films or TV, an animated music video by a popular illustrator sparked dance clips on social media, creating major buzz.

It’s filled with wordplay that prioritizes the fun of sound and a snappy tempo over literal meaning, making your body move naturally as you listen.

Its bright, celebratory vibe is perfect as BGM for sports day dances or entrance marches.

A feel-good anthem recommended for those moments when everyone wants to smile and get hyped together!

IRIS OUTNEW!Yonezu Kenshi

This is a new song by Kenshi Yonezu, written as the theme for the film “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc,” set to be released in September 2025.

The anecdote about him keeping a page featuring the original characters open around the clock and glaring at it while composing has also drawn attention! It’s an appealing track with a powerful rhythm and a thrilling, high-velocity rock sound that colors the intense battles and suspenseful developments.

The song’s overwhelming energy seems like a perfect fit as BGM for all-out races at school sports days, such as sprints and relays.

The aggressive tone of the piece is sure to give a strong push to the children giving it their all and heat up the entire venue.

Is being cute not enough?NEW!CUTIE STREET

[MV] CUTIE STREET "Isn't it enough to be just cute?"
Is being cute not enough?NEW!CUTIE STREET

CUTIE STREET is an idol group that debuted from KAWAII LAB., produced by Misa Kimura.

Released digitally in September 2024, this track is a pop dance number that became a huge hit on platforms like TikTok.

It carries a message that embraces the everyday hustle and inner conflicts—like never skipping makeup even on mornings when you’re about to be late—and encourages turning even your shortcomings into your own charm with a positive outlook.

Its catchy chorus, which went viral on social media, and its cute choreography make it perfect for group dances at sports festivals or as entrance and exit BGM.

It’s a highly recommended song for moments when you want to liven up a venue with a bright, energetic vibe.

[Marching・Races・Dance] Energetic Songs & Latest Tracks to Hype Up Sports Day (11–20)

Chaotic Wacha Life!NEW!FRUITS ZIPPER

[MV] FRUITS ZIPPER “Hachamecha Wacha Life!”
Chaotic Wacha Life!NEW!FRUITS ZIPPER

An irresistibly bright number that makes you want to start dancing and swaying along! It’s a song by FRUITS ZIPPER, born from an idol project, and since October 2025 it has been used as the opening theme for the anime Crayon Shin-chan.

As it’s the first time in about five years that the show’s theme song has changed, it drew a lot of attention.

The track is a powerful dance tune packed with the group’s “NEW KAWAII” concept and tons of love for Shin-chan.

It’s a pop song that puts smiles on faces across generations, from kids to adults, making it perfect for a fun dance at a school sports day.

Let’s all move our bodies with energy and bring the venue’s atmosphere to a fever pitch!

So in love I’m gonna perish!NEW!M!LK

M!LK – So in love it’s devastating! (Official Music Video)
So in love I’m gonna perish!NEW!M!LK

It’s a feel-good, high-energy love song brimming with euphoria, perfect for celebrating the group’s 10th anniversary milestone.

This upbeat tune comically and poppily expresses overflowing feelings of love, and just listening to it makes your heart skip.

The track features a catchy rhythm built for call-and-response, with satisfying interjections and handclaps woven in.

Released as a single by the dance and vocal group M!LK in October 2025, it’s made to be performed with full energy to the powerful shouts in the chorus—sure to fill the entire field with smiles and excitement.

The tempo is great too, so it’s also recommended as BGM for a footrace.

CharismaxNEW!Snow Man

Snow Man “Charismax” Music Video
CharismaxNEW!Snow Man

An energetic dance track that fuses the para-para culture popular from the 1990s to the 2000s with contemporary dance sounds.

Released as a digital single by Snow Man in August 2025, the song carries the momentum from their live video work released in June of the same year.

While it has no specific tie-in, the music video—set in Shibuya and featuring 250 people dancing—has become a major talking point.

Packed with rapid-fire rap over a fast tempo and catchy melodies, it’s sure to boost listeners’ spirits.

With its distinctive, full-body, dynamic choreography, it’s highly recommended as background music to amp up an intense dance performance at a school sports day.

To the best of my abilityNEW!GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE / To the Fullest Extent ~Race Version~ (Music Video)
To the best of my abilityNEW!GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

It’s a powerful rock tune that vividly conjures the image of sprinting ahead with muddy, all-out determination.

Released as a single in August 2022, it fired up TV screens as the theme song for the hot-blooded coming-of-age drama “Teppachi!” set in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

The heavy guitar sound and the message about the resolve to keep moving forward even after you fall really hit home.

For GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE—who captivate audiences with their vocals and performance—it’s also a significant work that symbolizes a milestone for the group.

Brimming with a sense of speed, this track is perfect for a brisk exit scene after a heated competition.

It powerfully celebrates the valiant efforts of the children who ran to the very end with their teammates.