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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is 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 go well with footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (81–90)

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!

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Rocky Themebirukonti

Every ROCKY Training Montage in Order

Rocky Themebirukonti

A sports anthem that resonates with a powerful brass section and full orchestral sound, portraying humanity’s boundless potential and passion.

Known as a quintessential masterpiece at the intersection of film and music, it stages a grand narrative themed around hard work, growth, and a leap toward one’s dreams.

Composed by Bill Conti for the film Rocky, released in February 1977, it reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of the same year and ranked 58th on AFI’s 100 Years of Film Scores.

Beyond exit scenes, it’s a highly effective track for moments when you want to encourage people who are giving their all—such as school events, sports day practice, and lineup formations.

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Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

Dokimeki Diary – asmi feat. Chinozo (Official Music Video)

Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo

Like weaving together precious memories, this song is filled with uplifting messages brimming with hope and anticipation.

asmi’s clear, transparent vocals and Chinozo’s refined compositional sense blend beautifully, creating a pleasant sense of elation.

Portraying the courage and determination to take a new step forward while overcoming the anxieties and confusion of a journey of self-discovery, the track has been beloved as the opening theme for the Pokémon TV anime since April 2023.

It also received its first full-size performance during the special program “Anime Pokémon Music Festival,” broadcast on the TV Tokyo network on March 31.

It’s a powerful cheer song that gives you a supportive push at moments of new challenges—such as before events at sports days or athletic festivals.

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Helloyama × bocchiboromaru

yama × Bocchi Boromaru “Hello” MV (TV anime “Pokémon” opening theme)

Helloyama × bocchiboromaru

A heartwarming collaborative piece by yama and Bocchi Boromaru, brimming with positive energy as a rousing anthem.

It carries a message that awakens hope for the future and a spirit of adventure, with a simple yet powerful melody that resonates deeply.

The song is approachable for a wide audience and was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Pokémon starting in October 2023.

In December 2023, it was released on CD in two formats: a standard edition and a limited-time production edition.

As a positive track that makes you want to sing along with someone, it’s perfect for cheering at sports days and athletic festivals.

Raise your voices together with friends under the blue sky, and it will surely become a wonderful memory.

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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.

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