And thinking of that way. The other top competitors must at least take note.
Here is a guy who it fit and mentally tough enough to have just run a 59:43 solo effort for the half marathon, trained by same people who trained Meb to a Silver at the Games and Deena to a bronze, #1 ranking for women in the marathon and a win at Chicago and London. And this coaching team is confident enough in where he is at to put him the deepest marathon field ever with the intention of sticking him nose into the mix.
Maybe they won't be scared but the prudent competitor will certainly take note of this.