Hall won't have a chance, because on top of everything else the olympic race is gonna be in the heat of mid summer, not a spring or autumn or even mid winter race like the US trials, and who are better used to running hot than the kenyans?
I'd say Hall should run in front for half the race, then fake an injury and drop out, that way his sponsors will get at least some exposure they can spin the rest of the year...
Hall has a good and realistic chance of doing well in the Olympic Marathon, due to the fact that he is consistant. For example, the 2004 Olympic Champion Stefano Baldini from Italy was only 2:07 marathon runner, but above all consistant, its not always the fastest runner that wins the medals. In the same race Meb won silver and Vanderlei de Lima of Brazil won the bronze, none of the big hitters such as Gharib or Tergat were able to make an impression. Championship races are more of a lottery, and are approached differently. As for the Kenyan Marathon selection, Abel Kirui and Edna Kiplagat should be pre selected as they have proven themselves in a championship marathon, with Kirui being a double world champion, also kirui has proven he can run quick, with a PB of 2:05:04 which is faster than the great Sammy Wanjuru. His display in the Daegu 2011 world champs marathon was simply outstanding, with a second half of the marathon completed in 62 minutes, and beating the silver and bronze medalist by 2 & half minutes.