Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

The footrace event, the climax of any sports day! It gets everyone fired up—both the kids running and the adults watching.

And to make the race even more exciting, you can’t go without the right BGM.

Here, we’ve put together a selection of recommended songs for footrace events.

From timeless classics you’ve surely heard before to the latest buzzworthy J-pop hits, we’ve curated tracks that people of all generations can enjoy.

Every song is full of sprinting energy and is sure to double the excitement of the competition! Use this as a guide to help bring your sports day to life!

[Sports Day] Songs that fit sprint races. Tunes that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (61–70)

A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “A Scenery I’ve Never Seen”

A view I've never seen beforeSuda Masaki

Since it became famous as the song used in the au commercials, I’m sure everyone has heard it at least once.

It’s sung by actor Masaki Suda and marks his solo debut.

The band-driven sound is striking, and it’s a cool track with a real sense of speed.

The lyrics are encouraging, like a push on the back when you’re feeling down, and they make you feel like you can give it your all in a school sports day race.

It’s perfect as a cheer song, and if you choose it as background music for an event, it’s sure to get everyone fired up!

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Outside the dreamHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Into the Outside of the Dream (Official Video)

Outside the dreamHoshino Gen

Hoshino Gen’s third single, released in 2012.

With its gently strummed guitar and easygoing tempo, it’s the kind of song that makes viewers feel warm and relaxed—perfect for a footrace, don’t you think? I feel like a lot of Hoshino Gen’s songs are easy to use in many different situations.

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Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

Sprint at full speed to a stylish sound! This is a signature track by YOASOBI, a musical duo consisting of composer Ayase—who is also active as a Vocaloid producer—and vocalist ikura, released in 2019.

The song is based on the novel “The Temptation of Thanatos.” It’s incredibly cool, with a driving sense of speed yet a somewhat shadowy tone.

You get both pop appeal and an artistic atmosphere at the same time.

I think the lyrics are especially relatable for teenagers.

The title also brings to mind a footrace.

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100% CourageHikaru GENJI

100% Courage (Nintama Rantarō Season 1 Opening)

100% CourageHikaru GENJI

Yuki 100% is also beloved as a classic sports day song.

Originally by Hikaru GENJI, it’s known as the theme song for the anime Nintama Rantarō.

The lyrics portray striving toward one’s dreams, so whether you know it from the anime or not, it’s sure to lift your spirits when you listen.

Incidentally, in recent years Hey! Say! JUMP’s cover version has been used as the opening theme, so that would be a good option to prepare as well.

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TRUTHT-SQUARE

TRUTH (LIVE) T-SQUARE

TRUTHT-SQUARE

When it comes to T-SQUARE’s “TRUTH,” many in our parents’ generation probably associate it strongly with Formula 1 Grands Prix, don’t they? It’s a track that really amps up the competition of athletes sprinting across the field, much like race cars tearing around a circuit! Students today might not be as familiar with it, but it’s such a classic that, when you think of running, this is the song that comes to mind!

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Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

Sambomaster / Starting to Shine and Run - MUSIC VIDEO

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā

An exhilarating up-tempo tune with a melody full of speed and Sambomaster’s passionate message that makes your heart leap! Released as a single in August 2018, it was also chosen as the theme song for the drama “Cheer☆Dan.” It’s an incredibly high-energy cheer song that’s almost too perfect for sports days.

It pairs especially well with running events where you sprint at full speed.

Brimming with energy and spirit, it’s sure to hype up both sprint races and exit scenes.

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Main Street Electrical Paradesahashi toshihiko

Main Street Electrical Parade

Main Street Electrical Paradesahashi toshihiko

This is “Main Street Electrical Parade,” a piece composed by Toshihiko Sahashi, known for his work on show music at Tokyo Disneyland and musicals for the Shiki Theatre Company! It’s one of the beloved classics among Disney fans and is often heard in brass band performances, too.

It’s perfect for kids’ running scenes in nurseries, kindergartens, and lower grades of elementary school! A dreamy tune—let’s get excited with this one!

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