I find that eating sugary stuff on top of gels is just too much small portions of the following really work for me depending where I am running.    

Why not rice and beans?  Or a potato and salted pork broth?  Flat bread with salt and oil? Mixed nuts?

I did the Tour du Mt Blanc 2 years ago and was warned that each food stop would have lots of different sorts of food.  At first I felt really spoilt for choice, and tried to grab a bit of everything, but after a couple of stops I started to avoid anything dry, and found that in the night sections I would choose a cup of minestrone soup and a slice of bread to dunk in it - soggy bread slips down a treat without chewing (I get a really dry mouth on ultras), and the soup was warm and salty, with a bit pasta. 

Later in the race I'd also developed a craving for sweet black coffee and also coke (which I don't usually drink) - must be sugar and caffeine.  Coke is better flat or slightly flat, and it can get shaken up inside when running - with unpleasant consequences.

Early in the race and before my mouth dries out, I'd like a marmite sandwich.

Thanks

I haven't done any really long stop runs such as this, having done the MDS this year, but I suppose something hot and dunkable, such as soup would certainly be great during the night stages, when it's likely to be colder

On other stages, stuff that worked really well for us included flagjacks, biltong/other dried meat, Ritz biscuits, nuts and dried fruit. All light, high energy and keep well in a bag

Cheers

We have large containers for drinks (collapsable ones you get at outdoor shops) and we intend to make it up to the instructions on the packet.. not sure what the %concentration is for HEED but i'm sure it will be the right one if we follow the instructions on't tin. You could always add a bit of water to thin it down if it was too strong.

Regards
Marc Laithwaite