State Police Launch 'Survival of the Fittest' Event

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Matthew Renderman has launched the second annual “Survival of the Fittest” competition, broadening a fitness event that began last year inside one troop area into a statewide program for law enforcement officers. A Patch community post published August 5 said the event is designed to promote fitness, resilience and camaraderie while connecting participants with wellness resources. Illinois State Police records show the first competition was held October 11, 2025, at P2G Fitness in Oak Lawn for Troop 3 personnel. Patch and other public references identify Renderman as an Illinois State Police master sergeant involved in officer wellness efforts. ### How did this competition start? The October 11, 2025 event in Oak Lawn was the first “Survival of the Fittest” competition, according to an Illinois State Police 10-43 publication. That inaugural contest was limited to Illinois State Police Troop 3 personnel, including patrol, investigations and telecommunications staff, the agency publication said. The Illinois State Police publication said the mission of the event was to promote health and fitness for police through “friendly, encouraging, and challenging competition.” The agency said the workout tested both strength and endurance and described the event as a success that brought troopers together around health, camaraderie and physical readiness. (patch.com) ### Who is behind the statewide expansion? (isp.illinois.gov) Matthew Renderman was identified by Patch as the Illinois State Police master sergeant who launched the second annual competition. A separate Patch report from April named Renderman as the recipient of an Individual Wellness Award and said he was recognized for leadership on the Peer Support team and for promoting fitness, camaraderie and access to wellness resources, including the “Survival of the Fittest” competition. (isp.illinois.gov) The April Patch report tied Renderman’s work to broader first-responder wellness efforts in Illinois. That report said the 100 Club of Illinois honored him during its Frontline Convention, where nearly 700 first responders, wellness professionals and support personnel gathered in Oak Brook on March 2 and 3. ### What does the event ask officers to do? (patch.com) The 2025 Illinois State Police account said participants completed a challenging workout built to test strength and endurance. The agency did not publish a full statewide rulebook in the material available through search results, but it said the original format centered on competition among officers in a supportive setting. (patch.com) Patch said the second annual version is intended to encourage fitness, resilience and camaraderie among law enforcement officers while expanding access to wellness resources. Organizers, as described in the Patch item, are framing the event as both a competition and a way to connect officers with support services. ### Who won the first one? Joshua Mathis and Ashleigh Wilson recorded the best times at the 2025 inaugural competition, according to Illinois State Police. (isp.illinois.gov) The agency identified Mathis, of EPU, as top male competitor and Wilson, of DII, as top female competitor. Illinois State Police said both were named 2025 SOF Fitness Competition champions. The agency said the winners received a 6 Pack Fitness meal bag, a BlenderBottle shaker cup and a Vitamin Shoppe gift card. (patch.com) ### Which groups were involved in the first event? P2G Fitness in Oak Lawn hosted the inaugural event on October 11, 2025, Illinois State Police said. The agency also thanked volunteers, the 100 Club of Illinois and Illinois Five-O Photography for supporting the day. (isp.illinois.gov) The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board describes itself as the state agency charged with maintaining professional standards for law enforcement and correctional officers in Illinois, providing part of the broader institutional backdrop for officer-readiness programs in the state. (isp.illinois.gov) ### What comes next in the statewide version? The August 5 Patch posting said the second annual competition is now statewide, but publicly available search results did not provide a full schedule, venue list or registration page. (isp.illinois.gov) Illinois State Police’s main website and news portal were active in recent days, indicating the agency continues to publish updates through official channels. Illinois officers and participating agencies are likely to get the next details through Illinois State Police announcements and related community postings as the 2026 competition moves forward. (ptb.illinois.gov) The most recent public marker is the August 5 Patch item announcing the statewide launch by Renderman. (patch.com)