Organizers of the 17th annual SMART Ride have announced that the HIV/AIDS fundraiser will proceed as scheduled Nov. 20-22 in a reimagined format, a response to COVID-19.

The SMART Ride has historically welcomed hundreds of cyclists to complete a 165-mile trek from Miami to Key West. It is the nation’s second largest AIDS bicycle ride and the only one of its size to donate the entirety of funds raised to service organizations.

Since its 2003 inception, participants have raised more than $11.8 million for beneficiaries in Florida. A record $1,325,427 was raised in 2019, 100% of which was distributed to Broward House in Wilton Manors, Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Centers in South Florida, Metro Inclusive Health in Tampa Bay, Pridelines in Miami-Dade County, AIDS Help in Monroe County, Miracle of Love in Central Florida and Compass Community Center in Palm Beach County.

“While COVID-19 has changed the way we are able to get together, our cause and goal remains the same,” organizers shared Aug. 18. “In fact, the needs of those fighting AIDS/HIV in our community are even greater this year with the pandemic adding another obstacle.”