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 match footraces. Tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑POP] (71–80)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

together; along with; bothWANIMA

A track that makes your heart leap with its exhilarating melody and KENTA’s powerful vocals! Released in January 2018, it’s quintessential WANIMA—bright, explosive energy that’s perfect for sports days and athletic festivals.

Play it during all-out running events and the kids’ motivation is sure to soar.

It’s also great for entrance scenes to lift everyone’s spirits.

Chosen as the theme song for a Kumamoto earthquake recovery support project, this piece will be a fantastic cheer anthem to make children’s big moments even more exciting.

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Sword DanceAramu Hachaturiannu

Sword Dance

Sword DanceAramu Hachaturiannu

This is “Sabre Dance” by Aram Khachaturian, a hugely popular classical piece often used as BGM for school sports days and athletic festivals.

When it comes to footraces, you can’t leave this one out! Composed in 1942, it’s used in the final act of the ballet Gayane.

It is said to depict a battle dance in which Kurds wield swords.

Wouldn’t it be perfect for inter-class races? Highly recommended!

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SignalWANIMA

WANIMA “Signal” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

SignalWANIMA

WANIMA is a band that brings us a variety of masterpieces that make our hearts burn when we listen.

All of their songs are perfect for a school sports day, aren’t they? But if you’re looking for a track that fits a relay, we recommend Signal! Its signature, pleasantly brisk tempo and lyrics that seem to say “hard work never goes to waste” will amp up the relay and support the runners’ spirits.

The song is included on their 2018 album Everybody!!.

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[Sports Day] Songs that go well with footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (81–90)

Indigo squaredYorushika

Yorushika – Blue Squared (Music Video)

Indigo squaredYorushika

Yorushika’s “Ai Nijou” is perfect for a sports day.

The rampaging guitar sound in the intro makes you so restless you can’t sit still.

The drums and chugging guitar in the first verse throb like a racing heartbeat, giving you the kind of excitement that makes you want to take off running.

It’s a comfortable number with a pleasing contrast between the transparent vocals and the hard-edged sound.

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Theme of the Beard

Theme of the Beard

Theme of the Beard

This song might not be very familiar to the younger generation! It’s the theme song for the “Hige Dance,” which was performed on the hugely popular TV show ‘It’s 8 O’Clock! Everybody Gather Round!’ It features a snappy rhythm and a distinctive bassline.

It has a fun, lively vibe, so rather than intense competitions like relays, it’s perfect as background music for more easygoing events like a borrowing race.

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Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Tomorrow Too”

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

When it comes to sports day background music, you hear lots of popular songs of the moment regardless of the event, right? In that sense, SHISHAMO—who are beloved across generations—is a must, don’t you think? This song has their signature style: a bright, poppy sound, uplifting lyrics, and a driving sense of speed that makes it perfect for a footrace BGM.

Highly recommended.

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The Nutcracker – TrepakPyotr Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Trepak (Piano Sheet Music)

The Nutcracker – TrepakPyotr Tchaikovsky

“The Nutcracker – Trepak” is one of the ballet pieces composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

Trepak is also known as the Russian Dance and represents the dance of the barley sugar fairy.

If this piece is meant to depict the dance, you can imagine some pretty vigorous movement! With its strong sense of speed, it’s perfect for scenes like dashes or relays.

If you’re looking for classical background music, how about this piece?

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