[Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]

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!

Playlist

[Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Chaotic Wacha Life!FRUITS ZIPPER		FRUITS ZIPPER will perform the opening theme song for Shin-chan.
2	The BeginningONE OK ROCK		A powerful song that brings courage and inspiration
3	I love you explosivelyM!ILK		M!LK’s universe-scale display of affection: powerful pop
4	Chu, diversity.ano		ano's brave anthem to individuality
5	StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE		An upbeat tune that vividly colors a new beginning
6	-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)Ofisharu Higedan Dism		An anthem for those who face themselves and move forward
7	Mela!Ryokushokushakai		Signature song of Ryokuoushoku Shakai, perfect for a sports day
8	LOVE 2000tsuru and kame		Iconic Movie Theme Songs: Pop Covers
9	Double Double FIGHT!CANDY TUNE		Cheer on the children with a sports day cheer song
10	LuminousAina ji Endo		Aina passionately sings the ONE PIECE theme song
11	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s new song wins the grand prize
12	AIZOKing Gnu		King Gnu's exhilarating, high-velocity rock
13	Curtain callYuuri		Yuuri’s rock number is selected as the My Hero Academia opening
14	Limit-Break x SurvivorHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa sings a fiery message that goes beyond his limits
15	ImaginationSPYAIR		SPYAIR’s Haikyuu theme song is perfect for relay races
16	Run!Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto		Cheering song of Momoiro Clover Z
17	Tontsukatan-tanKureijī Wowuwo!!		A fun dance song of Crazy Wow Wow
18	Dear, boyHump Back		An anthem by Hump Back that gives you the courage to chase your dreams
19	Headlong MarchSUPER EIGHT		An energetic cheer song by SUPER EIGHT
20	Standing on stageYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s sports theme song inspires athletes
21	I’ve gotta do the thing that seems impossible.Sambomasutā		Stir your heart with Sambomaster’s fight song
22	TouchInaba Hiroshi		Hiroshi Inaba covers the anime song “Touch,” chosen as a WBC cheer song
23	IRIS OUTYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s relay BGM track
24	KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s Chainsaw Man opening song
25	ApollodorusMrs. GREEN APPLE		A popular song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE full of a sense of speed
26	Current destructionSPYAIR		A high-energy rock number brimming with speed by SPYAIR
27	BeautifulSuperfly		Superfly’s cheer song
28	CHARMWANIMA		WANIMA's upbeat punk number
29	mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism		Mixed Nuts by Official HIGE DANDism
30	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		A powerful song from a figure skating anime
31	I can only face forwardAKB48		A passionate rock sound of courage to face forward and the power of unity
32	OrangeSPYAIR		SPYAIR’s rock song of hope and courage
33	magic musicKimura Kaera		Kimura Kaela’s refreshing song that brightens up the summer
34	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		A strong determination to pursue a dream, inspired by a song of memories
35	Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai		A dynamic song that depicts a passionate page of youth
36	I am the strongest.Ado		Ado’s powerful cheering song
37	StarmineDa-iCE		Da-iCE’s popular song with the ongoing challenge theme
38	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		Introducing WANIMA’s motivational song “Yatte Miyou”
39	Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts		Creepy Nuts’ free-spirited songs
40	flash[Alexandros]		The powerful rock of [Alexandros], a song of growth and challenge
41	monsterYOASOBI		BEASTARS Season 2 Opening Theme
42	The Zero Sense10-FEET		10-FEET’s movie theme song, themed around dreams and challenges
43	ultramarineYOASOBI		Expressing the passion and dreams of youth with blue light
44	VertigoMAN WITH A MISSION		A song that sounds a warning to modern society
45	POKÉDANCEnanahira		A Pokémon song that celebrates the joy of friendship
46	Make you happyNiziU		NiziU’s debut song, a smile-themed social phenomenon
47	1, 2, 3After the Rain		After the Rain’s “1・2・3” is a perfect fit
48	Your AdventureOkazaki Taiiku		A coming-of-age song that's the opening theme for Pokémon Sun & Moon
49	single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu		Liven up the sports day with King Gnu’s “Ichizu.”
50	Happinessarashi		Arashi’s “Happiness” is perfect for sprinting
51	Decisive Battle SpiritCHiCO with HoneyWorks		Ending theme of Haikyu!!
52	IdeaHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s “Idea” is perfect for a sports day
53	A Little Love SongAmatsuki		Introduction to Amatsuki’s cover of 'A Little Love Song'
54	Zankyo SankaAimer		Aimer “Zankyo Sanka” for a sports day
55	Full-Power BoySukima Suichi		A refreshing, sports day-friendly song by Sukima Switch
56	room for growthCreepy Nuts		Creepy Nuts’ songs are suitable for sports day
57	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		Introduction to Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Ao to Natsu”
58	peace signYonezu Kenshi		A bright, competition-oriented song by Kenshi Yonezu
59	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Introducing the representative song “Wataridori” by [Alexandros]
60	Blue Storynaniwa danshi		Naniwa Danshi’s youth anthem “Blue Story”
61	Be The OnePANDORA feat.Beverly		The Build theme song is powerful and up-tempo.
62	So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster		Little Glee Monster cheer song is suitable for sports day
63	Csikos PostHeruman Nekke		The galloping sensation of horses in Csikos Post
64	A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda’s solo debut with the au commercial song
65	Outside the dreamHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s heartwarming single
66	Racing into the NightYOASOBI		A signature YOASOBI song full of exhilarating speed
67	100% CourageHikaru GENJI		Work hard toward your dreams with 100% courage
68	TRUTHT-SQUARE		T-SQUARE’s “TRUTH” is a classic song that evokes the image of running.
69	Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā		Sambomaster passionate message support song
70	Main Street Electrical Paradesahashi toshihiko		Spice up the running race scene with a classic Disney song
71	life-formHoshino Gen		Liven up the sports day with a cheer song by Gen Hoshino
72	Galop of the ClownsDomitorī Kabarefusukī		Clowns’ Gallop is a staple song at sports festivals.
73	No.1DISH//		A powerful song about walking forward and being true to yourself
74	superstarKetsumeishi		The importance of letting hidden talents shine
75	Clarinet Polka		Polka’s fast duple meter makes it perfect for racing.
76	Raideenierō majikku ōkesutora		A classic song by Yellow Magic Orchestra
77	Clash! Gourmet RaceIshikawa Jun		Gourmet Race BGM from Kirby
78	Theme from Mission: Impossible		A Mission: Impossible that's perfect for a school sports day
79	GO!!!FLOW		A landmark work of fiery sound that gives courage
80	YOUNG BLOODONE N’ ONLY		Upbeat songs that fit a footrace
81	The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov		The Flight of the Bumblebee is a virtuoso piece
82	Odoru Pompoko RinGōruden Bonbā		Theme song of the anime Chibi Maruko-chan
83	HuntingJohann Strauss II		Polka is a classic two-beat song for school sports days.
84	New EraAdo		A song by Ado delivering a message of hope and transformation
85	Ashura-chanAdo		Ado’s “Ashura-chan” is perfect as sports day BGM.
86	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIA exhilarating, fast-paced cheer song
87	Sword DanceAramu Hachaturiannu		The Sabre Dance is a staple BGM at school sports festivals.
88	SignalWANIMA		WANIMA's 'Signal' is suitable for a relay
89	Indigo squaredYorushika		Yorushika’s “Aoi Nijō” is an exciting song suited for sports festivals.
90	Theme of the Beard		The Hige Dance theme song
91	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s fast-paced songs are perfect for school sports days.
92	The Nutcracker – TrepakPyotr Tchaikovsky		The Trepak in The Nutcracker is a Russian dance.
93	Soldier, run.B’z		The Lipovitan D commercial song suitable for sports day
94	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		WANIMA's 'Yatte Minayo' is a song suitable for sports festivals.
95	idolYOASOBI		Oshi no Ko opening theme song
96	Polka: “Thunderclap and Lightning”Johann Strauss II		A bright and powerful masterpiece by Johann Strauss II
97	Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise OrchestraMAN WITH A MISSION		A fiery track that fuses rock and ska
98	InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE		The opening theme of Fire Force. A song packed with a sense of speed and fiery intensity.
99	giftRADWIMPS		An inspiring theme song that explores the meaning of life
100	Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI’s encouraging song
101	Joyfulikimonogakari		A song full of a sense of speed, perfect as running BGM
102	It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE		An exhilarating cheer song for an ekiden (long-distance relay race)
103	RunnerSanpuraza Nakano-kun		Introduction to Bakufu Slump’s signature song “Runner”
104	Carmen PreludeJoruju Bize		The Carmen Prelude is popular and a staple at school sports days.
105	Maru Maru Mori Mori!Kaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.		The Marumo Rules are suited for a sports day
106	chantAdo		Ado’s new song, a hot topic through a USJ collaboration, exotic
107	Full driveKANA-BOON		A high-energy rock song that makes you want to run
108	Forward-facing scream!Kanjani∞		A cheering song by Kanjani Eight that livens up the sports day
109	A Trumpeter’s HolidayRuroi Andāson		Livening up the sports day with A Trumpeter’s Holiday
110	Tritsch-Tratsch-PolkaJohann Strauss II		A lively polka piece by Strauss
111	A bouquet for meAdo		A song that depicts the joy of youth and a positive, forward-looking spirit.
112	RunLittle Glee Monster		A positive cheer song that supports taking a step toward your dreams
113	earnest desireSUPER BEAVER		A famous song by SUPER BEAVER that sings about the importance of human relationships
114	Live in the present.Saucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s High School Soccer Cheering Song
115	One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu		An uplifting youth anthem that gives you the courage to live true to yourself
116	March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya		The appeal of brass band marches that liven up sports days
117	Rocky Theme		Fired up with fighting spirit by the Rocky theme song
118	Heavy rotationAKB48		An exhilarating, youth-filled pop song
119	ultra soulB’z		A powerful cry of the soul that challenges the limits
120	Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA		Opening theme song of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, courage and indomitable spirit
121	Critical HitRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' youth-supporting rock song
122	Soul RevolutionSuperfly		A powerful cheer song by Superfly
123	Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo		The opening theme song of the new Pokémon anime
124	Helloyama × bocchiboromaru		Cheering Song by yama and Bocchi Boromaru
125	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A song that expresses the feelings of heartbreak in a lighthearted way
126	Rocky Themebirukonti		Rocky's theme song Effort and Growth
127	William Tell OvertureRosshīni		A magnificent overture, marked by a powerful rhythm
128	R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		A signature song by the third generation with the themes of dreams and bonds
129	William Tell OvertureJoakīno Rossīni		Introduction to the William Tell Overture
130	Heaven and HellJakku Offenbakku		The Galop 'Heaven and Hell' is a staple song at school sports festivals.
131	Fiddle-FaddleRuroi Andāson		A fun piece composed by Leroy Anderson
132	TokimekiVaundy		Vaundy’s magical song