T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Rhonda Frasnelly of St. Clairsville readies for the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Walk on Saturday morning.

WHEELING – A 15-year cancer survivor continues to maintain a healthy lifestyle by participating in half-marathon walks around the Ohio Valley.

Rhonda Frasnelly, 60, of St. Clairsville, was cheered on by her husband Kert as she joined in the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Walk on Saturday morning. The couple was celebrating more than a decade of Frasnelly becoming cancer free.

Frasnelly’s walking journey began 15 years ago after she beat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She said she decided to walk as a way to stay fit and healthy.

“It’s a good feeling to do. … I’ve been doing this (race) ever since, and a couple other ones in the area,” she added.

Through her battle, Frasnelly said she never missed a day of work. She said she would receive chemotherapy treatments before returning to work for the day.

“I think that’s the best thing to do – never stop, just keep doing what you’re doing,” she said.

Kert Frasnelly spoke of the strength and perseverance his wife has shown throughout her battle.

“She’s strong-willed, and she cares about people,” Kert added.

Though her husband supports her from the sidelines, a couple of work friends join Frasnelly for the walk. She said their annual goal is to beat their time from the year prior, which is 48 minutes; however, catching up with friends is the most important part of the day.

“We’ll try to beat it this year. We’ll see how much we talk,” she said jokingly.

Frasnelly said she “loves” the Ogden walk and looks forward to it each year.

“I think it’s a really nice race, and it’s organized very well, very put together,” she said.

She said she hopes to get her 13-year-old granddaughter to join her in the coming years.