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 match footraces. Tunes that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (1–10)

mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Mixed Nuts [Official Video]

mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism is a piano pop band.

Their song “Mixed Nuts” is also highly recommended.

It was written as the opening theme for the anime SPY×FAMILY, and it sings about the bonds and friendships between the characters, delivering a heartwarming message.

It’s also a fresh, up-tempo track, perfect for running! And if you know the anime, that will make it even more exciting.

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Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it's embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

This is a dynamic, invigorating track that dramatically portrays an all-out sprint.

Looking back as an adult, it brings to mind that fiery page of youth when we ran with everything we had.

Produced in July 2024 as the theme song for ABEMA’s “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita Summer Vacation 2024,” the piece achieves an epic sense of scale through a collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra.

Its powerful melody and driving sound gently encourage young people to move forward without fear of taking on new challenges.

It’s also an ideal choice for background music at school sports days and athletic events.

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I am the strongest.Ado

[Ado] I’m the Strongest (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

I am the strongest.Ado

Ado’s song is characterized by a sense of speed and powerful lyrics.

It was created as an insert song for the film ONE PIECE FILM RED, released in August 2022.

The confident vocals and lyrics that highlight the importance of connections with others leave a strong impression.

This track is perfect as a cheer song for kids giving their all in a race, and for moments when you’re taking on something new or want to believe in your own strength.

Children who hear it will surely feel encouraged and energized.

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[Sports Day] Songs that are perfect for races: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (11–20)

OrangeSPYAIR

SPYAIR “Orange” Music Video (Theme Song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie)

OrangeSPYAIR

An exhilarating, heart-stirring rock number! SPYAIR’s track was released in February 2024 as the theme song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie.

Centered on meetings, bonds, and farewells within limited time, it conveys the importance of not saying goodbye and holding on to the hope of meeting again.

Portraying figures soaring across an orange sky, the song celebrates the beauty of living each moment to the fullest.

It’s a perfect fit for children giving their all in school sports day races, offering the courage to keep moving forward with big dreams on small backs.

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StarmineDa-iCE

Da-iCE / “Star Mine” Music Video

StarmineDa-iCE

A hit song by Da-iCE that uses fireworks as its theme to sing about the importance of challenge and perseverance.

Released in August 2022, the track won an Excellence Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards.

It also captured many hearts, racking up 500 million plays on TikTok.

With its exhilarating rhythm and powerful vocals, it’s a song that inspires courage in listeners.

It might be perfect for a school sports day race or when you want to take on something new.

Da-iCE’s high-tone vocals will boost your motivation as you head into the competition.

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Let’s give it a tryWANIMA

Yattemiyou

Let's give it a tryWANIMA

I think some people get nervous before a competition.

So I’d like to introduce a cheer-up song that can give you courage: “Yatte Minayo.” It’s a track WANIMA created as a song for an au commercial.

The lyrics convey the message that if you’re not afraid of failure and boldly take on challenges, you can enjoy anything.

It’s classic rock, so I also recommend it to anyone who likes fast-paced songs.

By the way, this song is an arrangement of the children’s song “Picnic.”

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Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts

[Live] Creepy Nuts – Bling-Bang-Bang-Born (Live at Yoyogi National Gymnasium First Gymnasium)

Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts

Songs by the hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts are characterized by energetic, self-expressive lyrics.

This track emphasizes a free-spirited mindset that isn’t bound by social norms or frameworks.

It was used as the opening theme for the second season of the TV anime “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” and was released in January 2024.

The striking dance also drew a lot of attention.

Packed with a message that gives listeners energy and courage, it seems like a perfect BGM choice to liven up sports day events—sprint races included.

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