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 for relay race BGM! (31–40)

Always HIGH!DISH//

DISH// – Always High! [Official Video]

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.

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So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster “So, You’re Not Alone” Music Video Short Ver.

So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

This is the 8th single, released on May 31, 2017.

As you can tell from its lyrics about “overcoming again and again” and the many tie-ins it earned—including being selected as the theme song for the 99th Mie Prefectural Tournament of the National High School Baseball Championship—it’s perfect as a cheer song for sports days and athletic festivals.

While it isn’t an especially uptempo number, it’s a track that can also be used as BGM for relays.

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Passion ContinentHakasé Tarō

Taro Hakase Passion Continent [OFFICIAL]

Passion ContinentHakasé Tarō

When it comes to Taro Hakase’s “Jonetsu Tairiku,” it’s such a famous piece that even people who don’t know the TV show of the same name will likely recognize it.

Its upbeat, Latin-inspired rhythm and, as the title suggests, passionate melody make it a perfect BGM for a relay race that builds to an all-out sprint.

Listening to this track, you can’t help but feel like you could run faster than usual.

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Sword DanceAram Khachaturian

Khachaturian: Sabre Dance (GOLD CLASSIC ~TV II~)

Sword DanceAram Khachaturian

This is a work by Aram Khachaturian, a composer from the former Soviet Union.

It was composed for the ballet Gayane, and it is said that the title comes from the piece’s depiction of warriors dancing and fighting with swords, literally in hand.

The consistently fast tempo and the xylophone’s crisp strokes give the impression of real swords clashing.

At school sports festivals, it is often used to evoke the image of battle, frequently accompanying events like relays and footraces.

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Mystical, Mysterious Adventure!Takahashi Hiroki

[Female Vocals] Dragon Ball OP: Makafushigi Adventure / Hiroki Takahashi – Cover [Nanao]

Mystical, Mysterious Adventure!Takahashi Hiroki

It’s the early opening theme song from the anime Dragon Ball.

The thrilling, dramatic sound makes you want to take off running.

Hiroki Takahashi’s robust vocals and the adventure-evoking melody are perfect for a relay.

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[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (41–50)

Before DawnUchida Yūma

Yuma Uchida “Before Dawn” MUSIC VIDEO (Short ver.)

Before DawnUchida Yūma

Yuma Uchida is an artist active as a voice actor and singer.

He has an impressive track record, having won the Best New Actor and Best Leading Actor awards at the annual Seiyu Awards.

“Before Dawn” is a rock number that features a refreshing, exhilarating chorus that truly highlights Uchida’s signature style.

The lyrics carry a positive message about turning loneliness and timidity into courage.

Everyone gets nervous before a relay race, right? At times like that, try listening to this song before you run—it might ease your nerves a bit and help you achieve better results!

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PRAYING RUNUVERworld

UVERworld 『PRAYING RUN』

PRAYING RUNUVERworld

While many people insist that effort is always rewarded, this song teaches us that some people aren’t rewarded no matter how hard they try.

Even so, it encourages us not to become pessimistic and to keep making an effort.

It’s a song that suggests there’s meaning in trying your best, even if your efforts don’t pay off.

Wouldn’t it be perfect for a relay where you give everything you’ve got from start to finish?

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