bathtubgin
Aris is a total badass. I have more respect for him than probably anyone else in the sport.
Besides the culture and training philosophies, they also have a few other things going for them (IMO):
1) Money: FM is a very wealthy school district. Allows funding for big invitationals, parents that can take time off work, and all the socioeconomic forces that go along with being rich.
2) Syracuse weather: Makes you tough as nails, and prepared to run well in late november/early december.
3) Green Lakes State Park: Amazing resource where they do a majority of their training. Sounds silly, but I think it plays a significant part.