What's really starting to worry me about this thread is that everyone seems to be making 2:15 out to be a really good time and therefore only achievable by athletes with abundant natural talent and years of hard work.
Of all olympic track and field qualifying standards it's probably been surpassed by more british athletes all time than any other and by plenty of athletes who would describe themselves in the 'not the most talented but made the most of that talent' bracket.
The other assumption seems to be if he runs sub 2:15 he'll make the olympic team. No-one either athletes themselves or supporters of contenders is saying there's going to be competition for the olympic 2008 marathon team.
Good luck to the guy, I don't think he'll get to 2:15 in a year but by 2012 you never know (but let's hope athletes are inspired by london 2012 and to make the British team you have to run 2:10 in 2012).