[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)
OH!SHISHAMO
Here’s a track with crisp guitar cutting and drums that make you want to keep moving your feet forward.
It’s an upbeat song released by SHISHAMO in 2019.
Since the lyrics also touch on running, it’s a perfect fit for a relay, don’t you think? Playing not only classic staples but also songs like this at a sports day adds color and makes it even more fun.
Joyfulikimonogakari
Joyful, sung by Ikimonogakari, was originally produced as a commercial song for Ezaki Glico’s Pocky.
Released as a double A-side single together with YELL, Joyful reached a career-best No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Its gradually building intro is distinctive, and the brass lines that pop in throughout really pump you up.
With its upbeat, fast-paced pop feel, it’s a perfect track both for runners in a relay and for the crowd cheering them on!
Long Hope PhiliaSuda Masaki
This is a song released in 2018 by Masaki Suda, who is popular both as an actor and as a singer.
He’s also a favorite among children, isn’t he? Written as the theme song for the animated film My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, its upbeat tempo and pleasant guitar cutting will have your feet moving forward before you know it!
[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect as relay race BGM! (81–90)
READY STEADY GOL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
“READY STEADY GO” is the 22nd single by the rock band L’Arc~en~Ciel, released on February 4, 2004.
In addition to being used as the opening theme for the MBS/TBS anime Fullmetal Alchemist, it was also featured in a Yakult commercial in China.
“READY STEADY GO” is characterized by its fresh, bright sound—a driving rock tune with such a sense of speed that it feels like you could run faster than usual if it were played as background music for a relay race!
ultra soulB’z
This single, released in March 2001, is an uplifting anthem delivered with a powerful rock sound and a message that strikes straight to the heart.
It conveys encouragement to those striving toward their dreams, depicting the emotions that waver between hope and disappointment, as well as the courage to challenge one’s own limits.
It’s a track where B’z’s signature sense of speed and Koshi Inaba’s dynamic vocals blend seamlessly.
The song was continuously selected as the official theme for the World Aquatics Championships from 2001 to 2024, becoming a staple that energizes the sports scene.
It’s also highly recommended as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic festivals, boosting participants’ morale and uniting everyone in excitement.
superstarKetsumeishi
This song features a captivating blend of hip-hop and pop, filled with messages of positivity and encouragement.
It celebrates everyone’s innate talents and charms, emphasizing the importance of believing in one’s potential.
Released on November 4, 2020 as Ketsumeishi’s 33rd single, it was also selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan starting October 3 of the same year.
The music video, filmed entirely in India, visually expresses its brightness and uplifting message.
Perfect as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic festivals, this track energizes listeners and gently supports those striving toward their goals—truly an ideal anthem of encouragement.
Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA
It’s LiSA’s 15th single, released in July 2019.
It served as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and with the anime’s massive success, it became LiSA’s biggest hit and brought her widespread recognition.
The song overflows with determination, resolve, and energy: no matter how many times you’re knocked down, if you have a dream you can’t give up on, you can stand up again and again.
Even if sorrow was the beginning, if what you’ve learned from it lets you protect someone, you can even feel grateful for it.
It’s a track that pushes athletes taking on challenges forward and fires up the hearts of the audience.
