Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM!

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is 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.

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.

[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect as relay race BGM! (81–90)

To the Lightmiwa

miwa “To the Light - short ver.”

To the Lightmiwa

Hikari e, a signature song by singer-songwriter miwa, gives you the strength to push forward.

Her gentle, clear voice and lyrics that appeal to the power of love are striking.

The track has an electronic feel right from the start, creating a stylish and cool impression.

When the chorus kicks in, the brisk rhythm and lyrics expressing the intensity of love make it even cooler.

With its cool vibe, it seems perfect for amping up the mood in middle and high school relay races.

For kindergarten and elementary school sports days, the chorus pairs well with the sight of children—raised with so much love—showing how much they’ve grown, so it’s also easy to use there.

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ultra soulB’z

[Wind Band Hit] ultra soul / B’z

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.

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superstarKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Superstar”

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.

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Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA

LiSA “Gurenge” -MUSIC CLIP YouTube EDIT ver.-

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.

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Critical HitRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Masterstroke [Official Music Video]

Critical HitRADWIMPS

This is a rock anthem packed with a grand message that resonates with young people, included by RADWIMPS in their December 2013 album “X to O to Tsumi to.” Riding on powerful guitar riffs and driving drum rhythms, it portrays the struggles and growth of a protagonist trying to find their own path in the midst of youth.

Its uncompromising alternative sound is brimming with energy, making it perfect for opening or closing ceremonies at school sports days.

The music video was filmed at Ageo Municipal Baseball Stadium in Saitama Prefecture and features a massive scale with 1,500 extras.

This work strongly supports students in the thick of their youth and those standing at life’s crossroads.

It’s the perfect song when you need the courage to take a new step forward.

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