First time for me too. I'm going for tried and tested comfortable trail shoes and a shed-load of talcum power, with a fresh pair of socks in my pack as a little treat on the way round. Simple pleasures, eh!

How much food are people carrying outside of the emergency ration? I'm concerned about eating enough and would hate to be caught out by not being able to stomach what's on offer at the checkpoints. Being a vegetarian I might carry a couple of veggie sausages so I don't get jealous at the hot-dog stop.