The rules of the competition require that contestants provide their own food, sleeping bags, head-mounted flashlights, first-aid kits and other equipment, and carry it all with them on the run. Because of this, most contestants bring freeze-dried food as a way to minimize weight.
大會規定 7 天 6 夜的賽事裡，所有的食物、睡袋、頭燈、緊急醫療等裝備都需自備，且需一路自行揹負，因此濃縮食物成了選手減輕重量的選擇。