Roy Oliver dominated distance running in Nova Scotia in the 1930’s. He was outstanding in the five and ten mile runs from 1930 through 1937. He was a four-time winner of the Herald and Mail annual 10-mile modified marathon and also held the provincial record for the 10,000-metres from 1932 to 1971.

Oliver represented Canada in the British Empire Games in 1934, finishing sixth. Roy Oliver was elected to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1980.