[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! (31–40)
Polka of the HuntJohann Strauss II
The “Hunting Polka” is a piece Johann Strauss II built as new hunting music, drawing on a story that appears within a stage work.
A polka is a Czech folk dance characterized by a fast rhythm.
The piece itself is very unique, featuring wind instruments that play hunting signals and even expressing whip cracks and gunshots within the music.
Because it is composed around the theme of the hunt, the strings convey a sense of speed while the winds evoke power and bravery.
In fast events or split-second relays, this piece seems likely to heighten the tension.
lightly; nimbly; flutteringlyGReeeeN
It’s a GReeeeN cheer song filled with the feelings of runners! Released in November 2023 as the official theme song of the All-Japan University Ekiden.
It sings of facing challenges while overcoming loneliness and anxiety, set to a light yet powerful melody.
You can feel the strong will to spread one’s wings into the wide sky, even while carrying emotional scars.
It also holds a wish to become someone’s special person, which is truly moving.
Perfect for scenes where everyone works hard together at school sports days and athletic festivals.
It’s also great for relays where kids dash around full of energy.
together; along with; bothWANIMA
A track that makes your heart leap with its exhilarating melody and KENTA’s powerful vocals! Released in January 2018, it’s quintessential WANIMA—bright, explosive energy that’s perfect for sports days and athletic festivals.
Play it during all-out running events and the kids’ motivation is sure to soar.
It’s also great for entrance scenes to lift everyone’s spirits.
Chosen as the theme song for a Kumamoto earthquake recovery support project, this piece will be a fantastic cheer anthem to make children’s big moments even more exciting.
mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism
This is a track with an exhilarating, fast-paced sound that’s truly captivating.
Written specifically as the theme song for the anime “SPY×FAMILY,” it was released in April 2022.
It skillfully expresses themes like family, love, and hidden truths using the metaphor of nuts and peanuts.
The lyrics, packed with the series’ worldview and the characters’ emotions, are irresistible for anime fans.
It’s great to listen to while discussing the show, but its driving tempo also makes it perfect as relay race BGM at a school sports day.
That refreshing sense of uplift is sure to give runners a boost.
Heaven and HellJacques Offenbach
When it comes to sports day staples, nothing beats ‘Heaven and Hell’ (the Can-Can).
There’s probably no one who hasn’t heard it.
Its tempo is relatively fast—at a level you don’t often find in other pieces—so it’s easy to see why it’s used.
I think teams really put their all into the relay as the final highlight.
If it’s ‘Heaven and Hell,’ it will surely match that heightened excitement.
And since it’s such a classic, you can run through it without the music feeling out of place.
To everyone chosen for the relay, and to everyone running together as a team, I wish you all the best in giving it everything you’ve got.
[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (41–50)
Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts
A high-energy hip-hop track with a driving melody that’s a huge hit at live shows! Chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime Mashle: MAGIC AND MUSCLES, this song captivates with lyrics brimming with self-expression and an infectious beat.
It gained widespread use on TikTok and earned international acclaim, even reaching No.
8 on the Billboard Global 200 for the week.
Play it during a relay at a school sports day, and its empowering words will surely push the runners forward.
Don’t you feel like if you run while listening to this song, you’ll stay positive and think, “Just a little more—I can do this,” even when it starts to get tough?
AdventureYOASOBI
The song produced by YOASOBI carries a message for people who wish to break free from boredom and the hassles of everyday life.
Its lyrics strikingly depict a day that’s different from the ordinary and celebrate the value of time spent with friends.
Released digitally in February 2023, the track was written as the theme song for Universal Studios Japan’s limited-time “Uni Spring” campaign.
Brimming with pop brightness and a sense of adventure, it’s sure to lift participants’ spirits when played at sports days or athletic festivals!