[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! (21–30)
I am the strongest.Ado
“I can win!” Ado’s ‘I Am the Strongest’ fills you with that kind of confidence! The exhilarating, fast-paced sound is a given, but the lyrics that encourage anyone taking on a challenge are incredibly appealing too.
This song teaches the importance of charging toward your goals and trusting your teammates as you move forward together, making it a perfect fit for a relay race where the whole team aims for victory as one.
With Ado’s powerhouse vocals—no exaggeration to call them pure strength—and lyrics that ignite your fighting spirit, this is a track that gives you a solid push forward.
Fanfaresumika
Sumika’s 2018 release “Fanfare” is a rock track whose exhilarating drive and refreshing feel are truly satisfying.
It was also chosen as the opening theme for the feature-length anime “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.” The steadily pulsing drums create a sense of sprinting momentum.
Many people feel fed up with their own inadequacies or with a self-indulgent lifestyle—wondering why they can’t do even simple things and getting stuck in their worries.
The lyrics encourage you to break through that darkness and become a new version of yourself.
For athletes running in a relay, listen to this song, fire yourself up, aim for the top, and strive to become your new self!
[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (31–40)
GUTS !arashi
Many people remember Arashi’s “GUTS!” as a song tied to their sports day memories—like “we did group gymnastics to this song” or “it was our sports festival fight song.” Doesn’t just hearing the intro make you feel like someone’s cheering, “Hooray, hooray!”? With lyrics that push you to “race through your youth with your friends,” it’s the perfect match for a relay at a school sports day.
It blows away pre-race jitters and gives you the courage and confidence to compete with integrity.
Full driveKANA-BOON
This is one of KANA-BOON’s signature songs, and the band was a driving force in Japan’s rock scene in the 2010s.
As the title “Full Drive” suggests, the song’s brisk, fast-paced feel and lyrics built around the keyword “running” leave a strong impression.
Their style shines through with an uptempo, easy-to-groove beat, plus catchy, approachable melodies and sounds.
If this track plays in the latter half of a relay, it’s sure to make the anchor leg showdown even more intense.
R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
A signature number by Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE, expressed through a driving EDM sound and a beautiful world like shooting stars coloring the night sky.
Centered on the themes of dreams and the bonds of friendship, it carries a message about cherishing every moment.
Its exhilarating beat and powerful performance uplift listeners and give them the courage to move forward.
Released as a single in June 2014, it was used as the campaign song for Tokyo City Keiba (TCK) and won the 56th Japan Record Award.
With its up-tempo rhythm and refreshing, summery feel, it’s popular as a relay or cheering song at school sports days and competitions.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to savor the thrill of running full speed ahead or chase dreams together with treasured friends.
Ashura-chanAdo
Singer Ado sparked a social phenomenon with the massive hit “Usseewa.” Her 2021 release “Ashura-chan,” which gained popularity especially among teens, is a rock tune perfect as background music for footraces.
Chosen as the theme song for Season 7 of the drama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, the track also made waves for being produced by Vocaloid creator Neru, known for signature songs like “Lost One’s Weeping.” Ado’s commanding vocals cut through with technical guitar work.
Its up-tempo rhythm is sure to boost runners’ speed! Give this track a spin to raise the energy across your entire sports day venue.
Always HIGH!DISH//
That high-tension, breakneck feel is irresistible! DISH//’s track is the perfect hype number for a school sports day relay.
Released in December 2023, this song packs the essence of the band’s dance-rock ethos.
With its catchy chorus and easy-to-dance-to rhythm, it practically gets your body moving just by listening.
Created as the required song for the dance video contest “LOVE Dan” on Nippon TV’s DayDay., it brims with youthful, energetic vibes.
Just like passing a relay baton, this song feels like a way to share a burst of energy with everyone.