[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] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | The BeginningONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | A powerful song that brings courage and inspiration |
| 2 | lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s new song wins the grand prize |
| 3 | BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | A powerful song from a figure skating anime |
| 4 | I can only face forwardAKB48 |  play_arrow | A passionate rock sound of courage to face forward and the power of unity |
| 5 | Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy |  play_arrow | A strong determination to pursue a dream, inspired by a song of memories |
| 6 | ApollodorusMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Streaming plays in just three months since release... |
| 7 | magic musicKimura Kaera |  play_arrow | Kimura Kaela’s refreshing song that brightens up the summer |
| 8 | mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | Piano pop band, Official HIGE DANDism… |
| 9 | Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A dynamic song that depicts a passionate page of youth |
| 10 | I am the strongest.Ado |  play_arrow | Characterized by a sense of exhilarating speed in its sound and powerful lyrics... |
| 11 | OrangeSPYAIR |  play_arrow | A rousing, fast-paced rock anthe… |
| 12 | StarmineDa-iCE |  play_arrow | Singing about fireworks as a motif, it extols the importance of challenge and perseverance… |
| 13 | Let’s give it a tryWANIMA |  play_arrow | I think there are some people who get nervous before a competition... |
| 14 | Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts |  play_arrow | The hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts… |
| 15 | flash[Alexandros] | ![flash[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xfG6L9I7N8I/default.jpg) play_arrow | The powerful rock of [Alexandros], a song of growth and challenge |
| 16 | The Zero Sense10-FEET |  play_arrow | Dynamic, fast-paced sounds and powerful lyrics resonate in the heart… |
| 17 | monsterYOASOBI |  play_arrow | Driving electro sound and powerful vocals... |
| 18 | VertigoMAN WITH A MISSION |  play_arrow | A song that sounds a warning to modern society |
| 19 | ultramarineYOASOBI |  play_arrow | Expressing the passion and dreams of youth with blue light |
| 20 | POKÉDANCEnanahira |  play_arrow | A Pokémon song that celebrates the joy of friendship |
| 21 | Make you happyNiziU |  play_arrow | Uplifting, exhilarating sounds and an insistence on smiles... |
| 22 | Your AdventureOkazaki Taiiku |  play_arrow | Okazaki Taiiku’s cheer song “Kimi no Bōken” is… |
| 23 | Happinessarashi |  play_arrow | One of Arashi’s popular songs, “Happiness,” as well... |
| 24 | peace signYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Familiar from the anime My Hero Academia… |
| 25 | A Little Love SongAmatsuki |  play_arrow | Speaking of “Chiisana Koi no Uta,” it’s a J-rock so... |
| 26 | 1, 2, 3After the Rain |  play_arrow | Raise the excitement of the children's footrace... |
| 27 | Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A hugely popular youth anthem, the song “Blue and Summer.”… |
| 28 | Zankyo SankaAimer |  play_arrow | A fast-paced, powerful track is perfect for sprinting events... |
| 29 | single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu |  play_arrow | The footrace, which is also one of the main events of the sports day... |
| 30 | IdeaHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | The main ... of the NHK morning drama series “Half, Blue.” |
| 31 | Decisive Battle SpiritCHiCO with HoneyWorks |  play_arrow | Ending theme of Haikyu!! |
| 32 | Full-Power BoySukima Suichi |  play_arrow | I feel like even the title is suited for a footrace, but— |
| 33 | room for growthCreepy Nuts |  play_arrow | All sorts of sounds that transcend the boundaries of the hip-hop scene… |
| 34 | Blue Storynaniwa danshi |  play_arrow | Naniwa Danshi’s youth anthem “Blue Story” |
| 35 | Csikos PostHeruman Nekke |  play_arrow | Hermann, a German composer from the Romantic era... |
| 36 | Racing into the NightYOASOBI |  play_arrow | Full speed ahead to a stylish beat! Voca... |
| 37 | TRUTHT-SQUARE |  play_arrow | Speaking of T-SQUARE’s “TRUTH”… |
| 38 | Be The OnePANDORA feat.Beverly |  play_arrow | For songs with vocals, I recommend Kamen Rider Build... |
| 39 | A view I’ve never seen beforeSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | Since it's the song that became a hot topic as the au commercial tune, it's— |
| 40 | migratory bird[Alexandros] | ![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_DLtVuiqhI/default.jpg) play_arrow | One of [Alexandros]'s signature songs, “… |
| 41 | Main Street Electrical Paradesahashi toshihiko |  play_arrow | Show music at Tokyo Disneyland and theater companies… |
| 42 | Clarinet Polka |  play_arrow | Polka, a dance born in the Czech lands. A lively dance in 2/4 time... |
| 43 | Clash! Gourmet RaceIshikawa Jun |  play_arrow | If you like video games, this is a tune you’ve probably heard before... |
| 44 | The Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov |  play_arrow | Like tumbling down a hill, spi... |
| 45 | 100% CourageHikaru GENJI |  play_arrow | It’s also well loved as a classic song for school sports days… |
| 46 | So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster |  play_arrow | Little Glee Monster's... |
| 47 | Galop of the ClownsDomitorī Kabarefusukī |  play_arrow | Among Kabalevsky’s works, the most famous piece is “The Comedians’ Galop”... |
| 48 | Raideenierō majikku ōkesutora |  play_arrow | If you’re someone who gets excited just from the opening of a song, then… |
| 49 | Outside the dreamHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Hoshino Gen’s third ... released in 2012 |
| 50 | superstarKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | The importance of letting hidden talents shine |
| 51 | Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā |  play_arrow | A melody brimming with a sense of speed and Sambomaster’s... |
| 52 | InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | The opening theme of Fire Force. A song packed with a sense of speed and fiery intensity. |
| 53 | life-formHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A life-affirming melody and Gen Hoshino’s high… |
| 54 | Theme from Mission: Impossible |  play_arrow | When you say “a footrace”… it sounds kind of cute… |
| 55 | GO!!!FLOW |  play_arrow | This exhilarating, high-energy sound leaves a strong impression... |
| 56 | No.1DISH// |  play_arrow | A powerful song about walking forward and being true to yourself |
| 57 | YOUNG BLOODONE N’ ONLY |  play_arrow | A danceable number for the heated footrace… |
| 58 | Odoru Pompoko RinGōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | No explanation needed, the national anime 'Chibi Maruko-chan'... |
| 59 | New EraAdo |  play_arrow | The movie “ONE PIECE FILM RE…” |
| 60 | Ashura-chanAdo |  play_arrow | The massive hit of “Usseewa” has sparked a social phenomenon… |
| 61 | together; along with; bothWANIMA |  play_arrow | A melody brimming with a sense of speed and KENTA’s… |
| 62 | Sword DanceAramu Hachaturiannu |  play_arrow | The immensely popular classic used as BGM for sports days and athletic festivals… |
| 63 | SignalWANIMA |  play_arrow | We… with a variety of timeless masterpieces that make our hearts burn when we listen |
| 64 | Indigo squaredYorushika |  play_arrow | Yorushika’s “Ainijo” is perfect for a sports day... |
| 65 | giftRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | An inspiring theme song that explores the meaning of life |
| 66 | Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise OrchestraMAN WITH A MISSION |  play_arrow | A fiery track that fuses rock and ska |
| 67 | Theme of the Beard |  play_arrow | This song might not be very familiar to the younger generation... |
| 68 | Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | When it comes to sports day background music, regardless of the event... |
| 69 | The Nutcracker – TrepakPyotr Tchaikovsky |  play_arrow | “The Nutcracker ~ Trepak” is by Pyo… |
| 70 | Soldier, run.B’z |  play_arrow | This song, together with the rise of Japan’s national rugby team… |
| 71 | Tritsch-Tratsch-PolkaJohann Strauss II |  play_arrow | It’s so typical of a Johann Strauss II polka… |
| 72 | It starts here!DREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | An exhilarating cheer song for an ekiden (long-distance relay race) |
| 73 | HuntingJohann Strauss II |  play_arrow | A dance tune called the polka is in duple meter and is often played at events like school sports days... |
| 74 | Full driveKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | KANA-BOON, which was released in 2014... |
| 75 | Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | The kindness and strength embedded in SEKAI NO OWARI's lyrics... |
| 76 | RunnerSanpuraza Nakano-kun |  play_arrow | A signature song by Bakufu Slump! “Runner”… |
| 77 | Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA |  play_arrow | Opening theme song of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, courage and indomitable spirit |
| 78 | Let’s give it a tryWANIMA |  play_arrow | WANIMA has an up-tempo, catchy vibe, and... |
| 79 | idolYOASOBI |  play_arrow | The exhilarating sound and powerful vocals leave a strong impression… |
| 80 | Carmen PreludeJoruju Bize |  play_arrow | Bizet’s opera Carmen, in Act 1… |
| 81 | Polka: “Thunderclap and Lightning”Johann Strauss II |  play_arrow | As the title suggests, it’s a very powerful track... |
| 82 | Maru Maru Mori Mori!Kaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku. |  play_arrow | I highly recommend it for nursery and kindergarten sports days... |
| 83 | chantAdo |  play_arrow | Energetic beats and Ado’s power... |
| 84 | Forward-facing scream!Kanjani∞ |  play_arrow | A cheering song by Kanjani Eight that livens up the sports day |
| 85 | A Trumpeter’s HolidayRuroi Andāson |  play_arrow | In 1954, the American musician Leroy A... |
| 86 | Rocky Themebirukonti |  play_arrow | Rocky's theme song Effort and Growth |
| 87 | Joyfulikimonogakari |  play_arrow | For background music in footrace events, not only should it convey a sense of speed, but… |
| 88 | Dokimeki Diaryasmi feat. Chinozo |  play_arrow | The opening theme song of the new Pokémon anime |
| 89 | Helloyama × bocchiboromaru |  play_arrow | Cheering Song by yama and Bocchi Boromaru |
| 90 | RunLittle Glee Monster |  play_arrow | A positive cheer song that supports taking a step toward your dreams |
| 91 | William Tell OvertureRosshīni |  play_arrow | A magnificent overture, marked by a powerful rhythm |
| 92 | One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu |  play_arrow | An uplifting youth anthem that gives you the courage to live true to yourself |
| 93 | A bouquet for meAdo |  play_arrow | A song that depicts the joy of youth and a positive, forward-looking spirit. |
| 94 | Soul RevolutionSuperfly |  play_arrow | A powerful cheer song by Superfly |
| 95 | Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | A song that expresses the feelings of heartbreak in a lighthearted way |
| 96 | Critical HitRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS' youth-supporting rock song |
| 97 | March “Beyond the K-Point”Takahashi Shinya |  play_arrow | The appeal of brass band marches that liven up sports days |
| 98 | Heavy rotationAKB48 |  play_arrow | An exhilarating, youth-filled pop song |
| 99 | ultra soulB’z |  play_arrow | A powerful cry of the soul that challenges the limits |
| 100 | earnest desireSUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | A famous song by SUPER BEAVER that sings about the importance of human relationships |
| 101 | Live in the present.Saucy Dog |  play_arrow | Saucy Dog’s High School Soccer Cheering Song |
| 102 | R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu |  play_arrow | A signature song by the third generation with the themes of dreams and bonds |
| 103 | William Tell OvertureJoakīno Rossīni |  play_arrow | This piece is from the opera Guillaume Tell (William... |
| 104 | Rocky Theme |  play_arrow | The theme song from the movie Rocky—it's just too famous, but… |
| 105 | Heaven and HellJakku Offenbakku |  play_arrow | Composed by Mr. Offenbach, o… |
| 106 | Fiddle-FaddleRuroi Andāson |  play_arrow | “The Typewriter,” “The Trumpeter’s Rest…” |
| 107 | TokimekiVaundy |  play_arrow | Beautifully captured a sense of excitement and optimism... |