The Big Gay Race 5K on Saturday drew approximately 6,000 participants to one of many campaign events put on in the last year by Minnesotans United for All Families.

The group has raised more than $8.2 million from more than 44,000 donors since its formation in late 2011 and is working to defeat a proposed amendment to constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman.

MN United is spending the largest chunk of its money on a multi-million dollar ad campaign over the coming weeks. It has two TV ads currently running and has reserved $1.3 million in advertising for the last couple weeks before the election.

Minnesota for Marriage, the lead group supporting the amendment, has raised around $2 million and has spent money on radio advertising, consultation and event expenses. It has also launched 39 online episodes in a series called “Minnesota Marriage Minute” exploring issues related to the proposed amendment.

Minnesota’s Roman Catholic bishops recently sent letters to Catholic households asking them to “vote yes” on the amendment and to consider donating to Minnesota for Marriage.