CLARE man Martin McMahon was featured on this page last week as he prepared to take part in the 1,000km Mongol Derby.

Unfortunately word reaches us that Martin took a tumble this week which forced his retirement from the epic 10-day race.

Martin, who works for trainer Michael McDonagh, is one of 42 adventurists who signed up for this year’s event, which sees them riding locally-bred horses over all kinds of terrain across Mongolia.

In some ways it’s every man and woman for themselves but one of the golden rules is “chivalry must triumph an individual’s quest to win.” Riders must not trot by a man down, and Martin was very grateful for that etiquette when he took a fall on day six.

Six other participants stopped to assist Martin. According to official race reports, “they remained by his side, shielding him from the sun with their bodies, and covering him up to conserve body heat.

“Martin, displaying his trademark wit and good humour, promptly insisted they remove the blanket when the medics arrive lest they mistake him for a corpse.”

Initial reports suggested Martin was expected to make a “speedy return” to the field but his injuries proved too much. His Facebook page said: “Unfortunately Martin had a fall between stations 12 & 13. His horse decided to buck when he began to slow down after a 20km non-stop gallop. Overall he is okay, but fractured scapula and concussion, so in Ulaanbaatar for observation for a while.”

Best wishes to Martin who is raising funds for Pieta House, the Irish Cancer Society and MS Ireland.

Donate: Search GoFundMe.com and Facebook for ‘Mongol Derby Martin McMahon’