QUEBEC – An Albertan man attempting to run across Canada for charity was arrested near Quebec City for taking his journey along the shoulder of the busy Trans-Canada Highway.

Curtis Hargrove faces a charge of obstructing justice because he refused a police officer’s demand Monday that he get off the highway.

The 23-year-old says he was taken to a police station in Quebec City and released a few hours later after being given a September court date.

Hargrove admits he was stubborn in refusing to leave the side of the roadway.

A Quebec provincial police spokeswoman says the officer warned the Cold Lake native to get off the Trans-Canada before making the arrest.

Sgt. Ann Mathieu says police even offered to draw out a route for him on a secondary road that runs parallel to the highway.

Hargrove says he didn’t have any problems on the Trans-Canada during the first two months of a run that began in Newfoundland.

He says he felt he was taking the necessary safety precautions by wearing a reflective vest.

Hargrove says the friend driving the RV that is accompanying him was fined $52 for parking on the shoulder of the highway.

He is trying to raise $1 million for a children’s hospital in Edmonton and has so far collected $14,000 during a run he expects to complete in the fall.