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 match footraces. Tunes that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (51–60)

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

A hugely popular youth anthem, Aoi to Natsu (Blue and Summer).

Released by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in 2018, it was written as the theme song for the film Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi (Blue Summer: The 30 Days I Fell in Love with You).

This refreshing, fast-paced rock number motivates listeners and makes many feel ready to give it their all.

Play it during a relay race at a school sports day and both the runners and the cheering crowd are sure to get fired up! If you’re looking to use J-pop as background music for a sports day, this is a must.

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peace signYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Peace Sign

peace signYonezu Kenshi

It’s a song by Kenshi Yonezu—well known from the anime My Hero Academia and arguably the most famous singer in Japan today.

With its fast tempo and upbeat lyrics, I think it really amps up events where winning and losing are involved, like footraces.

It seems better suited for sports festivals from junior high school and up rather than for nursery or elementary school field days.

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migratory bird[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Wataridori (MV)

migratory bird[Alexandros]

One of [Alexandros]’s signature songs, “Wataridori”! Not only was it used as the theme song for the film “Akegarasu,” but it was also featured in multiple commercials, making it a huge hit among young people.

As the title suggests, the song evokes the image of a migrating bird slicing through the sky, and the exhilarating chorus might make you feel like sprinting off yourself.

If you play this track during a running scene, it will surely amp up the excitement and help everyone share the emotion!

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Blue Storynaniwa danshi

Naniwa Danshi – Blue Story [Naniwa Danshi LIVE TOUR 2023 ‘POPMALL’]

Blue Storynaniwa danshi

Naniwa Danshi is supported by a wide range of generations.

The song they created as a tie-in with Sea Breeze is “Blue Story.” It’s a refreshing track themed around youth.

In the commercial, the song plays over scenes of members Shunsuke Michieda and Kento Nagao running on a field, so many people probably associate it with a “sports day song.” Of course, even if you haven’t seen the commercial, the passionate lyrics and sound are sure to boost your motivation to run.

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[Sports Day] Songs that fit sprint races. Tunes that make kids want to run [Classics & J-POP] (61–70)

Be The OnePANDORA feat.Beverly

[MAD] Kamen Rider Build – Be The One Lyrics

Be The OnePANDORA feat.Beverly

For a song recommendation, I suggest the opening theme of Kamen Rider Build.

It’s not only upbeat, but as a hero-themed song it also has a powerful feel.

It might be more geared toward boys.

Even kids who aren’t good at running might be able to push themselves with this track.

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So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster “So, You’re Not Alone” Music Video Short Ver.

So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

One of Little Glee Monster’s signature songs, “Dakara, Hitorijanai” (“That’s Why You’re Not Alone”).

It’s a popular anthem used in various situations.

Its moderate sense of speed and the message embedded in the title—“you’re not alone”—are sure to resonate with runners.

This bright, well-loved track is perfect for the main race at a school sports day! If you’re looking for pop BGM, definitely give it a listen!

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Csikos PostHeruman Nekke

Necke: Csikos Post — Hermann Necke: Csikós Post

Csikos PostHeruman Nekke

The piece “Csikós Post” was composed by Hermann Necke, a German composer from the Romantic era.

“Csikós” means “horse rider” in Hungarian, and “Post” means “mail” in German.

Considering the meanings of the words and actually listening to the music, it’s truly perfect for a footrace! It’s often used at school sports days as well, so I highly recommend it!

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