Ben Hewitt, of Hardwick, an organizer for the nonprofit Rural Vermont, speaks to the gathered crowd during the race after-party. Hewitt, author of the acclaimed book "The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food", reasoned that, "I think everyone has a right to their own idea of what utopia is." Discussing the organization's dedication to building thriving, and diverse farming communities, in a later interview, he said "ÉThat can be inclusive of a whole lot of ideas, and a whole lot of utopias. We as an organization feel like diversity is a real key ingredient." (Herald / Seth Butler)