[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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- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
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[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (51–60)
Hungarian Dance No. 5Johannes Brahms
Hungarian Dance No.
5 is a collection of dances first published by Johannes Brahms in 1869.
The piece belongs to what is called Gypsy music, a tradition that developed primarily among the Roma people, who led a migratory lifestyle across regions such as West Asia and Europe.
There are 21 pieces in total, and this one features striking contrasts—powerful yet elegant passages alongside sections where the violin’s timbre becomes finely articulated.
In relay races, some teams reach the finish smoothly, while others slow down after dropping the baton or stumbling.
In that sense, the ebb and flow of Hungarian Dance No.
5 may be a good match.
Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI
An uplifting song with a message about turning your weakness into an ally and soaring high.
With the powerful sound and melodies characteristic of SEKAI NO OWARI, it gently gives listeners a push forward.
The lyrics, which convey the importance of kindness and strength, are sure to resonate with children as they grow through school sports events.
Released in September 2023, the song was chosen as the opening theme for the popular anime ONE PIECE.
It cheers on everyone who keeps going without giving up, making it perfect as background music for sports festivals and field days.
Highly recommended for moments when you want to get everyone excited!
AgainWANIMA
A rock tune by WANIMA that sings of a strong will to move forward again while overcoming setbacks and failures.
It captures the realization that past experiences shape who we are now, and the determination to take a new step with the courage to stand up again and again.
Released in March 2019 on their 4th single “Good Job!!,” the song also drew attention as the theme for the TBS drama “Maison de Police.” It’s a motivational anthem that gently supports not only athletes but everyone striving toward their dreams and goals.
You’re going way too fast!!Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto
The title is “You’re Going Way Too Fast!!,” but since it’s a relay at a sports day, it’s totally fine to go full throttle! The original song by GARLIC BOYS, “You’re Going Too Fast,” might make you think of alcohol and could carry a different meaning, but the version sung by Momoiro Clover Z, “You’re Going Way Too Fast!!,” has a different nuance and a lot of energy, so wouldn’t it fit a sports day perfectly?
[Sports Day] A roundup of exhilarating, fast-paced tracks perfect for relay race BGM! (61–70)
single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu
Ichizu, one of the main events’ big crowd-pleasers for the footrace at a school sports day.
Released in 2021 by the rock band King Gnu—known for hits like Hakujitsu—the song was chosen as the theme for the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
It features a driving, fast-paced guitar riff and delivers a fiery, high-energy band groove.
Among their tracks, it has a relatively simple instrumental arrangement, making it perfect as BGM for a sprint.
Let’s hype up both the runners and the audience with this uptempo rock number!
Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Among classical music pieces, the “Turkish March” is especially well-known.
It’s become a familiar tune at events like school sports days.
Didn’t it play at your school, too? At the author’s school, it was played during cleaning time.
If you play it during a relay at a sports day, its brisk, staccato melody is sure to get everyone hyped.
By the way, it’s a popular piece with many arrangements, such as jazz versions, and there are even versions with lyrics on video sites.
It’s a tune we all know well, but listening to it again can make you realize just how interesting it is.
William Tell OvertureRosshīni
The overture to a grand opera by Rossini, one of Italy’s most iconic composers.
Structured in four parts, it begins at dawn, passes through a storm scene, moves into pastoral tranquility, and then unfolds into a heroic march—a truly masterful progression.
Premiered in 1829, this work became widely known as the opening theme of the American TV series The Lone Ranger and was also used on Fuji TV’s Oretachi Hyokin-zoku, lodging itself in the memories of many.
Its powerful rhythms and dynamic melodies make it perfect for the exit scene at a school sports day, heightening the excitement as participants leave the field and bringing the event to a rousing, resonant close.