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: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (31–40)

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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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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flash[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Flash (MV) Theme Song of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash

flash[Alexandros]

With its powerful guitar riffs and energetic performance that stir the soul, this is an epic rock number by [Alexandros].

The lyrics portray a resolve to spread one’s wings into a new world after overcoming conflicts such as loneliness and fear experienced during growth, and they’re sure to encourage anyone standing at a crossroads in life.

Released in May 2021, the song was chosen as the theme for the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway and captivated many listeners with its metallic sound.

Its exhilarating, fast-paced groove is perfect for a school sports day relay, igniting the fierce competitive spirit of the racers and making the moments they dash across the field even more memorable.

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[Sports Day] Songs that fit sprint races: tracks that make kids want to run [Classics & J‑Pop] (41–50)

monsterYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Monster” Official Music Video (YOASOBI – Monster)

monsterYOASOBI

This track stands out for its fast-paced electronic sound and powerful vocals.

Released in January 2021 as the opening theme for season 2 of the anime BEASTARS, it became a major talking point.

The lyrics capture the protagonist’s inner conflict, growth, and determination to protect the one they love.

It ranked high on the Billboard JAPAN charts, and its total streaming plays have surpassed 100 million.

With moving lyrics and an intense sound, it’s the kind of song that can give children a strong push to give their all in a school sports day race.

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The Zero Sense10-FEET

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

The Zero Sense10-FEET

A 10-FEET track whose exhilarating sound and powerful lyrics will shake your soul.

Released as a digital single in November 2022, it drew attention as the ending theme song for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.

It also gained traction on TikTok, with its memorable melody capturing the hearts of many.

Centered on themes of pursuing dreams and self-realization, the lyrics skillfully weave in basketball terminology, offering courage and hope to young people.

Played during a school sports day race, it would ignite children’s spirits—truly a song that makes you want to run.

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