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 go well with footraces. Songs that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (21–30)

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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BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

A song by Kenshi Yonezu, written as the opening theme for the figure-skating anime “Medalist” and released in January 2025.

With a melody full of drive and a powerful sound, it brilliantly captures the exhilaration of the moment you surge toward your goal.

Centered on themes of mutual support and the courage to take on challenges, the piece likens achieving one’s goals to a “bow and arrow.” Used as BGM for a relay at a school sports day, it would not only fire up the runners but also draw passionate cheers from the crowd.

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[Sports Day] Songs that go well with footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (31–40)

I can only face forwardAKB48

[MV full] We Only Look Forward / AKB48 [Official]

I can only face forwardAKB48

This is a breathtaking AKB48 track distinguished by a rock-inspired sound that embodies a powerful cry from the heart.

The lyrics, infused with a resolve to keep moving forward, together with the dynamic melody, fill listeners with courage and energy.

Released in February 2014 and recording an initial sales figure of approximately 1.091 million copies, the song was also used in commercials for Dip’s job information site “Baitoru.” Its powerful performance and passionate message make it a reliable ally in moments when you want to inspire unity and motivation—such as a tug-of-war at a school sports day.

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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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magic musicKimura Kaera

Kaela Kimura “Magic Music” [short ver.]

magic musicKimura Kaera

This is a vibrant summer tune by Kaela Kimura.

Created for summer festivals, its happy, positive worldview adds extra fun to children’s movements.

Set to a catchy melody, it sings about the magical power of music and the thrill of romance.

Released in June 2006, it was used as the commercial song for Toshiba’s portable media player “gigabeat” and as the ending theme for tvk’s program “sakusaku.” Although it wasn’t included on the album “Scratch,” it remains one of the artist’s most popular signature songs.

If you’re pairing it with a parachute (paraballoon) routine, this refreshing track is perfect for everyone to dance to.

Its lively, pop atmosphere will make bright, cheerful performances even more delightful.

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Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy

Monster’s Flower Song / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster's Flower Song)Vaundy

This is a moving piece by Vaundy that depicts the powerful determination to pursue one’s dreams, guided by a cherished song of memories held in the heart.

With a warm tone that cheers on adults who tend to lose their innocent passion and awakens the origins sleeping within, it leaves a strong impression.

Since its release in May 2020, its singable, catchy melody and powerful sound have gradually gained popularity, reaching No.

3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in January 2023.

The exhilarating rhythm and fiery message make it perfect as background music for a relay where you and your teammates aim for first place.

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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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