[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!
Speaking of relays, they’re the event that gets the crowd most excited at a sports day! The music that adds flair to the race is also one of the key elements.
I’m sure you, too, have a song that comes to mind as relay BGM.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of tracks—from classic relay staples everyone’s heard to J-pop numbers perfect for a heated competition.
They’re all songs that will make you want to start running, so use them as a guide when choosing your playlist.
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[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (71–80)
My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS
Released in 2016 as one of the soundtrack pieces for the animated film “Your Name,” this song became RADWIMPS’ first album to reach No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
When the film was released in North America and Canada the following year, an English version was also made available.
This well-known, upbeat track is the kind of song that would really amp up the excitement if played during a relay race at a school sports day.
Freak It! ft. Tokyo Ska Paradise OrchestraMAN WITH A MISSION
It’s a lively track that blends a high-velocity rock sound with ska elements.
Created through a collaboration between MAN WITH A MISSION and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra in February 2018, the song expresses a burning fighting spirit and a will to charge into the future.
Its party-ready, fiery sound and powerful message encouraging free, unrestrained ideas and actions make a strong impression.
Chosen as the official theme song for Super Rugby’s Sunwolves and included on the album “Chasing the Horizon,” this piece has captivated many as a go-to track to energize sports scenes, parties, and of course, school sports day relays.
Rising HopeLiSA
Up-tempo, 8-beat pop-rock songs are perfect for school sports day relays, aren’t they? “Rising Hope” is exactly that kind of track—a sharp, high-energy rock number with a driving sense of speed.
It was also used as the opening theme for the anime The Irregular at Magic High School.
Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI
An uplifting song with a message about turning your weakness into an ally and soaring high.
With the powerful sound and melodies characteristic of SEKAI NO OWARI, it gently gives listeners a push forward.
The lyrics, which convey the importance of kindness and strength, are sure to resonate with children as they grow through school sports events.
Released in September 2023, the song was chosen as the opening theme for the popular anime ONE PIECE.
It cheers on everyone who keeps going without giving up, making it perfect as background music for sports festivals and field days.
Highly recommended for moments when you want to get everyone excited!
single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu
Ichizu, one of the main events’ big crowd-pleasers for the footrace at a school sports day.
Released in 2021 by the rock band King Gnu—known for hits like Hakujitsu—the song was chosen as the theme for the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
It features a driving, fast-paced guitar riff and delivers a fiery, high-energy band groove.
Among their tracks, it has a relatively simple instrumental arrangement, making it perfect as BGM for a sprint.
Let’s hype up both the runners and the audience with this uptempo rock number!
Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Among classical music pieces, the “Turkish March” is especially well-known.
It’s become a familiar tune at events like school sports days.
Didn’t it play at your school, too? At the author’s school, it was played during cleaning time.
If you play it during a relay at a sports day, its brisk, staccato melody is sure to get everyone hyped.
By the way, it’s a popular piece with many arrangements, such as jazz versions, and there are even versions with lyrics on video sites.
It’s a tune we all know well, but listening to it again can make you realize just how interesting it is.
sparkleFuji Kaze
It’s “Kirari” that cheers on the relay runners as they dash by with refreshing energy.
Released in 2021 by singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze, known for his technically skilled piano playing, the track was featured in a Honda VEZEL commercial.
Its electronica synths pulse with a modern four-on-the-floor beat, creating a lively, buoyant sound.
The song carries a positive message that perfectly suits the atmosphere of a school sports day.
Why not use this crowd-pleasing dance number as BGM for your relay, sure to get all generations pumped up?