Sports Day/Athletic Festival: In Perfect Sync! Songs That Hype Up the Three-Legged Race
One of the classic events at sports days and school athletic festivals, three-legged races are surprisingly tricky when it comes to syncing your steps! No matter how hard you practice, many people find that nerves make their legs tangle up when it’s the real deal.
But even then, if the venue’s BGM gives you a push, you’ll find your pace magically syncing and your steps feeling lighter.
In this article, we introduce songs that will crank up the energy to the max and make three-legged races even more exciting! We’ve gathered a wide range of upbeat tracks that make you want to clap along, spanning various genres.
If you’re struggling with song selection, use this as a guide to fill the field on the big day with the best smiles and cheers!
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[Sports Day] Perfectly in sync! Songs to hype up the three-legged race (1–10)
loveNEW!Hoshino Gen
This is an upbeat dance-pop song with a rhythmic melody and a rich palette of instrumental tones that feels pleasant to the ear.
It carries a warm message depicting the small joys found in everyday life and the preciousness of human connection.
Created by Gen Hoshino, the track was released as a single in October 2016 and was chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “We Married as a Job” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu), becoming a social phenomenon.
Its bright, lively tempo naturally invites handclaps, making it a perfect BGM for a three-legged race.
Even when nerves threaten to trip you up, the buoyant sound will give you a gentle push, helping the two of you fall into sync naturally.
RunnerNEW!bakufū suranpu
When it comes to classic sports day songs, many people probably think of this track.
It’s a smash hit by the rock band Bakufu Slump.
The powerful vocals of Sunplaza Nakano-kun and the exhilarating, fast-paced sound make it perfect for a school sports day.
Its coming-of-age theme, projecting feelings for friends who are leaving, really stirs the heart.
Released in October 1988 as their 12th single, the song is also included on the album “HIGH LANDER.” It was featured as an insert song on the TV show “Tensai! Takeshi no Genki ga Deru TV!!” and became a huge hit.
The clear, steady rhythm is ideal for syncing steps in the three-legged race.
Even when nerves make your feet feel tangled, the energetic melody will give you a push and help you match your stride!
Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?NEW!Ryokushokushakai
An uptempo track by Ryokushaka with a compelling sound that gives listeners a strong push forward.
Haruko Nagaya’s expansive vocals and the band’s energetic performance affirm the clumsy yet straightforward emotions of youth.
Chosen as the theme song for an ABEMA dating show, it was released digitally in July 2024 and later included on the album “Channel U.” Its exhilarating, fast-paced beat is perfect for school sports days when everyone wants to move as one.
Even in events like the three-legged race, where you might rush and get tangled up, this song’s bright melody somehow helps you find a shared rhythm.
A pop-rock tune brimming with heat and excitement, highly recommended for situations cheering on students aiming for the finish line with smiles.
[Sports Day / Athletic Festival] Perfectly in sync! Songs that hype up the three-legged race (11–20)
MiracleNEW!GRe4N BOYZ
A signature smash hit by GRe4N BOYZ that straightforwardly sings about the wonder of people meeting and spending time together.
Released as a single in May 2008, it was chosen as the theme song for the passionate youth drama ROOKIES, sweeping Japan into a whirlwind of emotion.
Later selected as the entrance march for the 81st National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, the song is also included on the album “Ah, Hello.
Long Time No See.” Its approachable melody and expansive choral work overlap to give you the courage to keep looking ahead and moving forward.
With an easy-to-follow rhythm, it’s perfect for events like three-legged races at school sports days where you want to keep everyone in step.
It helps create an unforgettable peak moment as the venue’s excitement reaches its highest point and the bonds with your friends grow even stronger.
ApollodorusNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Let’s fire up the venue with a track that fuses a grand orchestra and powerful rock sound! This compelling piece features a vast world view that expresses the conflicting emotions of fighting spirit and serenity.
Released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in July 2024, it was selected as a sports support song for the TV Asahi network and was later included in the anniversary best album “10.” Its evolving development is perfect for those moments of running in perfect sync, like a three-legged race.
The passionate sound that affirms people who face forward despite their wounds and inner conflicts will surely elevate the heat on the field.
OrangeNEW!SPYAIR
A track whose emotional melody evokes a sunset and whose fiery band sound hits you right in the heart.
Crafted by SPYAIR, this rock number was created as the theme song for the anime film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, released in February 2024.
While carrying the sorrow of parting, it vividly portrays the joy of meeting again and the strength to face forward and move on.
It’s captivating for the intensity that signals a fresh start with their new vocalist and for a propulsive sound that lifts your emotions all at once.
Play it over a scene of a three-legged race run in perfect sync, and it will heighten the sense of camaraderie and unity, with its brisk tempo smoothing every step.
It’s the perfect song for moments when you want to envelop the field in cheers.
JoyfulNEW!ikimonogakari
Your heart starts dancing to the effervescent sound! This work captivates with its boundless brightness and exhilarating sense of speed in the melody.
Playful, rhythmic phrases and call-and-response shouts fly about, packing a power that makes your body move naturally.
This song by Ikimono-gakari, which enlivened living rooms as the CM song for Ezaki Glico’s “Pocky,” was released as a single in September 2009.
It’s also included on the album “Hajimari no Uta,” and many people likely copied the dance that was on TV at the time.
The high-tension beat blows away nerves and even helps you synchronize your steps like a three-legged race.
It’ll give a strong push—along with bright smiles—to pairs who want to move forward briskly in time with the chants.