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: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (101–110)

chantAdo

[Sing] Ado “Simple Dance” — A simple arranged dance you can do at recitals and sports days! The easy version of the “Zombie Dance,” which is super popular at USJ!

chantAdo

A track defined by its energetic beat and Ado’s powerful vocals! Released digitally in September 2023, the song also drew attention through a collaboration with USJ’s Halloween event.

Its exotic vibe, reminiscent of Indian music, is especially captivating.

It won broad support, including spending seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard JAPAN Streaming Songs chart.

The lyrics carry a message of unleashing your talent and moving forward, making it perfect for giving you a push in races like sprints or relays.

Listen to this song, and you’ll feel like running at full speed!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Full driveKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON “Full Drive” Music Video

Full driveKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON’s third major-label single, released in 2014.

It’s lively right from the start and keeps up a full-on sense of speed to the very end.

The music video is all about running too, so it might be perfect for runners.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to take off and run when you listen to it.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Forward-facing scream!Kanjani∞

Forward-Facing Scream! (Short ver.)

Forward-facing scream!Kanjani∞

The bright and energetic songs of Kanjani Eight are perfect for a fun, exciting sports day! Among them, “Maemuki Scream!” released in 2015, is a track that serves as a cheer song for those about to take on a competition.

At sports days, there are not only people who are good at events but also many who find them challenging.

This song gives energy to those who feel it’s not their strong suit, encouraging them to focus on having fun first and keep a positive attitude! How about playing it during the sprint races or the entrance march to lift up the children participating and energize the whole atmosphere?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

A Trumpeter’s HolidayRuroi Andāson

08 Bugler’s Holiday – A Trumpeter’s Holiday

A Trumpeter’s HolidayRuroi Andāson

Composed in 1954 by American musician Leroy Anderson, “Bugler’s Holiday” is a classic staple as background music for sports days and athletic festivals.

Its intricate trumpet passages are distinctive, and listening to it gives you a feeling of being hurried along, as if someone’s giving you a push.

It’s perfect for footraces and relay scenes! If you’re undecided about the BGM, why not give it a try?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Tritsch-Tratsch-PolkaJohann Strauss II

Johann Strauss II, Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka

Tritsch-Tratsch-PolkaJohann Strauss II

A lively, spirited polka in true Johann Strauss II style: the Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka! In Japan, you often hear this piece at elementary school sports days.

“Tratsch” is German for gossip, and the polka is said to depict street-corner chatter and rumors.

It doesn’t quite reach a state of high tension, but it has a pleasantly brisk, driving feel.

Perfect as BGM for elementary school footraces!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Sports Day] Songs that match footraces. Tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (111–120)

A bouquet for meAdo

[Ado] Bouquet for Me Official Audio

A bouquet for meAdo

This work offers a refreshing portrayal of the joys and growth of youth.

HoneyWorks’ approachable melodies blend with Ado’s powerful vocals to create a surge of positive energy.

Centered on themes of self-affirmation and gratitude, it celebrates the beauty of looking forward while cherishing the small joys in everyday life.

Released in March 2025, the song was chosen for Coca-Cola’s new commercial and will be included on the album “Ado’s Best Album,” scheduled for release in April of the same year.

It’s perfect for boosting motivation at school sports days and athletic festivals.

When you want to encourage yourself and take a new step forward, this track will give you the energy you need.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

RunLittle Glee Monster

『Run』 – Little Glee Monster

RunLittle Glee Monster

A positive cheer song born from the collaboration between Meiji Probio Yogurt R-1 and Little Glee Monster.

It delivers a powerful message about the courage to take the first step and the importance of striving toward dreams and goals.

The six members’ overwhelming vocal prowess and harmonies weave a youthful story brimming with energy and hope.

Included on the album “Ambitious,” released in March 2025, it was selected to support new first-year students as they begin their new lives.

Its driving rhythm and uplifting melody are perfect for moments when many people move in unison.

An ideal track for exit music at sports festivals and field days, it’s a song that lets everyone share a refreshing sense of exhilaration.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem